A Chorus That Lowers Oneself and Elevates Others, Delivering Hope

Interview with Park Jong-won, Director of the Seoul City Choir

Jongwon Park, Director of the Seoul City Choir

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] “The essence of choir lies in attentive listening. To create harmonious sound, I must listen to others, and naturally, this requires lowering my own voice. Only when I humble myself and elevate others can a beautiful choir be completed.”

Park Jongwon, the newly appointed director leading the Seoul City Choir on its 44th anniversary, said that preparing for the first performance titled ‘The Place Longing for Spring Sunshine’ scheduled for the 15th made him reflect once again on the meaning of choir. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 6th, Director Park stated, “I am focusing on creating an ensemble through the process of humbling myself, elevating others, and concentrating.”

Jongwon Park, Director of the Seoul City Choir

‘The Place Longing for Spring Sunshine’ is the first performance in the 2022 M Collection series presented by the Seoul City Choir. The M series, derived from Masterpiece, was planned to showcase a balanced selection of choral works by both domestic and international composers alongside masterpieces in music history. Director Park introduced, “In this performance, we have prepared a rich stage featuring early masterpieces by Baroque master Handel, including ‘Dixit Dominus,’ as well as smaller pieces by composers such as Schumann, Brahms, Jo Hyeyoung, and Lee Hyuncheol.”

Director Park explained the theme of this performance, ‘The Place Longing for Spring Sunshine,’ as “a message of consolation expressing the longing for nature and old memories in the current era where, despite spring’s arrival, it is difficult to directly feel and enjoy it due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.”

He added that the hope conveyed through the lyrics will be a great comfort to weary lives. He said, “David Charles’s ‘Weep No More,’ performed in the latter half of the second part of the concert, is a piece about stopping tears and seeking hope while anticipating the promised paradise. The final piece, Moses Hogan’s ‘Music Down in My Soul,’ sings about having love, peace, and joy through the overflowing music in our souls and hearts. It will deeply comfort those whose hearts have been wounded by losing or being unable to meet parents, siblings, and friends due to COVID-19.”

COVID-19 has also changed the choir’s rehearsal scenes. Concerned about the members singing while wearing masks, Director Park said, “Singing for a long time with a mask on can strain the lungs and health due to lack of oxygen, so I am worried. At the same time, it is regrettable that it is difficult to read the emotions of the members during sad or joyful moments in rehearsals.” He added, “Although it will take some time, we are making continuous efforts to convey a choir style that feels deeper and expresses more.”

Jongwon Park, Director of the Seoul City Choir

Park, who began music by chance when he became a choir member upon his homeroom teacher’s recommendation during middle school, graduated from Yonsei University’s vocal music department, earned a master’s degree in choral conducting from the Cleveland Institute of Music in the U.S., and a doctorate in choral conducting from the University of Michigan. He served as a professor in the church music department at Yonsei University and as a choral conducting professor at the University of Wisconsin. He is known as a world authority in choral vocal technique.

Jongwon Park, Director of the Seoul City Choir

Director Park aims to showcase free and expressive harmony through the Seoul City Choir, rather than authoritative and solemn choir. He expressed his ambition, saying, “Once COVID-19 restrictions are eased, we plan to restart the Seoul Citizen Choir and work to expand the amateur base for choir. The sense of achievement and camaraderie that music and choir give us must be created together with one heart, whether amateur or professional, so we will strive through various programs to increase the number of people who enjoy that richness.”