YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Young Harris College recently welcomed former First Lady Shirley Miller, 1954, to campus to thank her for donating her family’s Kayagum (Korean zither) to the College. She met with YHC President Dr. Drew Van Horn, Dean of the Division of Fine Arts Dr. Keith DeFoor, Chair of the Department of Music and Professor of Music Jeffrey Bauman, and Instructor of Music Cynthia DeFoor.
In 1997, the Kayagum was presented to her late husband, Governor Zell B. Miller, 1951, by the Chairman of the Korea-United States Economic Council, P.H. Koo, so this donation is very important to YHC.
The Kayagum is a 12-stringed instrument with movable bridges and is the most preferred and representative of all Korean stringed instruments. The strings, made of wound raw silk, run from pegs beneath the top end of the instrument over a low fixed bridge curved to match the body, across individual movable bridges made from hard wood, to looped cords.
“The Kayagum is special. We value it, and our students are going to benefit from it,” said Dr. DeFoor, who noted that the Kayagum will be used in the College’s World Music course.
“I’m so happy that it will be used,” said Miller. “Nothing could make me happier.”
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has four academic divisions: Fine Arts; Humanities; Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and Professional Studies. More than 1,400 students are enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
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