Shinhan Bank marks 44th anniversary with debut performance by ensemble of musicians with developmental disabilities

Shinhan Bank marked its 44th anniversary with the debut public performance of Shinhan SOL Remio, an ensemble made up entirely of musicians with developmental disabilities. The event combined expanded employment of people with disabilities with cultural arts support, and offered a moment to reflect on the bank's founding spirit through music.

The bank held the ensemble's inaugural celebratory performance Tuesday at the lobby of its headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, it announced Wednesday.

Shinhan Bank founded Shinhan SOL Remio by directly hiring the musicians with developmental disabilities who make up its roster. The ensemble was established to broaden employment opportunities for people with disabilities while supporting its members in growing as professional musicians in a stable environment. The bank has set up a dedicated rehearsal space at Shinhan Art Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to support the ensemble's activities.

The performance featured all members of Shinhan SOL Remio alongside musicians with developmental disabilities from Dream With Ensemble — the organization contracted to manage the ensemble — as well as past recipients of the Shinhan Music Award. The performers played a varied program spanning classical pieces, film soundtracks and popular songs for an audience of bank employees.

The performance reinterpreted Shinhan Bank's founding philosophy, known as the 7B Management Philosophy, through musical storytelling. The 7B Management Philosophy was articulated when the bank was established and embodies values of public responsibility, customer focus and mutual prosperity. A host introduced each principle and the meaning of its corresponding piece, while ensemble members expressed the bank's founding spirit and original vision through their playing.

The event carried added significance as the first official stage on which ensemble members appeared before their colleagues as Shinhan Bank employees. Staff who attended responded with applause, cheering on their new colleagues' debut.

"We will continue to build an environment where artists with disabilities can pursue their work with stability, and strive to create social value through culture and the arts," a Shinhan Bank official said. Shinhan SOL Remio is set to perform for the general public at the S-Classic Week concert at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' Chamber Hall in August.