For the last 12 seasons, the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra has been most fortunate to have the great talent of conductor Jung-Ho Pak at its podium. Pak, who grew up in California and spends much of his time “commuting” between Monterey and Cape Cod, has had music in his blood since he was a child.
“I began playing the piano at age 6,” he said. “However, I was not listening to music per se, but rather being influenced more by television.” Pak, like many others who grew up at that time, considers himself somewhat of a “latch-key kid.” He had two hard-working parents who were trying to forge a good life for their family, and television became an important part of his formative years.
“I developed a deep understanding of the American psyche and what our common language for entertainment and culture was all about. So, my taste in music became extremely eclectic, varying from rock and roll and pop music to world music, film music, jazz and, of course, classical music. I consider myself a hopeless omnivore and the embodiment of America’s obsession with variety.”
His interest in conducting came as a surprise, even to Pak, himself. “It all began one day in junior high,” he said. “Our band conductor was absent, so I volunteered to lead the group and, after just a few minutes, I was hooked. I actually think anyone would get the bug, standing in front of your peers and having them follow your gestures. It’s almost magical.”
In high school (even while he was part of a rock band), he became more serious about it and, by the time he graduated, Pak thought he wanted to become a band director. In college, however, he discovered the music of Mozart and Brahms, and his direction changed.
“I always had a physical ease with conducting, but what came much more slowly was the psychological maturity of inspiring others,” Pak said. “That responsibility, along with representing the composer’s intentions, sobered me to pursue a greater cause other than to simply wave my arms.”
As he began his studies as a conductor, he fell under the spell of great legendary maestros like Arturo Toscanini, Herbert von Karajan, and Leonard Bernstein. “Each was an example about the mystical nature of musical leadership,” he said. Other influential musicians, he added, include Miles Davis, the Beatles, and Sting.
“I could go on, but they all have in common the courage and vision to redefine music as we knew it. I find that pop music today has become somewhat stagnant in its compositional development, and I think it has to do with the fact that consumers have so much choice and that it is all quickly disposable, that music doesn’t have time to ferment and evolve in our culture.”
Pak first came to the Cape in 2006. Prior to that, he had conducted many other orchestras, including the San Diego Symphony, the New Haven Symphony, and conducted at many conservatories such as those at the University of Southern California, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Interlochen Center for the Arts.
“I have been lucky to have a full career in both a professional and educational worlds. I love the optimism and boundless energy of working with young people, as well as the mature artistry of making music with experienced professionals.”
His involvement in Cape Cod’s music education programs is one of his true passions. In fact, he credits his own public school band program for his own musical career today, and he spends much of his time mentoring future musicians through programs sponsored by the Cape Symphony Orchestra.
“I believe a symphony should be more than just an extraordinary performing experience. We need to inspire the next generation to use their imaginations and emotions to change the world,” he said. “All of the education programs are geared to be extremely captivating, relevant, and free to all children. Even our regular ‘Masterpiece’ concerts are crafted so that any young person coming for the first time will feel welcomed and entitled to this wonderful experience, and we are seeing them come back more and more to our main stage programs. That is one of the greatest indications that we are succeeding.”
As time goes on, Pak feels that his understanding of the very nature and purpose of music, itself, has increased.
“Music exists to communicate humanity,” Pak said. “It does not only exist to be a profession or self-aggrandizement. Its greater purpose is to bring us together and help our society evolve to be more compassionate. I would say that I am less a music lover, and more a lover of hope and joy, and that music is a conduit or tool toward that goal.
“I have never felt more rewarded in that journey than coming to Cape Cod and serving this community that has been so enthusiastic for this vision. It has truly been one of the great privileges of my life.”
About Ann Luongo
