Choral music, often celebrated for its harmonious beauty, is increasingly recognized as a profound tool for social change, fostering community, promoting well-being, and driving impactful messages.
At the forefront of this movement is
Dr. Hwanwook Lee, an accomplished conductor, educator, composer, and scholar whose career bridges continents and cultures, defined by a deep commitment to both musical excellence and social impact.
For Dr. Lee, the power of collective voices extends far beyond the performance hall. "I believe choral music is more than just an artistic activity—it is a powerful medium for building human connection and fostering community," he explains. Values such as collaboration, active listening, responsibility, empathy, and harmony are intrinsically cultivated through the choral process. "Singing in a choir requires not just self-expression, but also the humility to blend, adjust, and support others."
This shared act of creating something greater than the sum of its parts allows individuals from diverse ages, cultures, and backgrounds to understand and accept one another in a deeply meaningful way. Dr. Lee often witnesses firsthand how music fosters not only artistic unity but also personal growth, emotional intelligence, and mutual respect among his singers.
Beyond community building, choral music serves as a uniquely effective vehicle for delivering social messages and inspiring collective action. "Unlike instrumental music, choral works have lyrics, allowing them to communicate stories, values, and emotions more directly," Dr. Lee notes. When multiple voices unite around a shared message, the emotional energy and impact are amplified.
Many contemporary composers and conductors, including Dr. Lee, utilize choral music to address critical topics such as peace, justice, environmental stewardship, and human rights. Furthermore, the act of singing together offers emotional release, group cohesion, and a vital sense of belonging, significantly supporting psychological well-being. "In this way, choral music is not only a form of art, but a form of action—capable of transforming individuals and moving communities forward," he explains.
A significant challenge for any choir director is balancing the pursuit of technical precision with the encouragement of genuine emotional expression. Dr. Lee believes these elements are not in conflict but rather "complement and strengthen one another." He explains his meticulous approach: "I always try to build a strong technical foundation first—focusing on pitch, rhythm, and harmony—and then guide singers to gradually layer emotional understanding on top of that." His method involves helping singers "construct emotion" through interpretation, discussion, and shared understanding of the piece, preventing emotion from being a last-minute addition.
To achieve this delicate balance of technical precision, emotional depth, and ensemble unity, Dr. Lee employs a multi-faceted strategy. After establishing the groundwork of pitch, rhythm, diction, and phrasing, he dedicates time to fostering a personal connection with the music. One powerful tactic he always includes is a roundtable discussion.
"During this time, I invite singers to share what the piece means to them personally, what memories or experiences it evokes, and how they interpret its emotional content," he describes. This exchange allows each member to find individual meaning while simultaneously discovering how others experience the same material, thereby fostering empathy and strengthening the group's bond.
Crucial to Dr. Lee's philosophy is the creation of a supportive and respectful rehearsal environment where every member feels valued and inspired to grow, regardless of their experience level. "One of my top priorities as a conductor is creating a rehearsal space where every singer feels that their voice matters," he emphasizes. He clearly communicates that the space is for growth, not judgment, welcoming mistakes and questions.
"I remind my singers regularly that my role exists to support them, not to evaluate them." Especially when working with singers from underrepresented or minority backgrounds, Dr. Lee actively seeks to include repertoire that reflects their culture or invites their suggestions, reinforcing the message that they are a meaningful and essential part of the ensemble. "These gestures help singers internalize that they are not just participating—they are needed," he states.
Dr. Hwanwook Lee's unique background—holding a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University, extensive experience at multiple U.S. and South Korean universities, leadership in church choirs, and his recent role at Odessa High School—informs his holistic approach.
His doctoral research, which explored incorporating traditional Korean song elements into contemporary choral works, exemplifies his dedication to cultural exchange and innovation. As a composer and arranger, Dr. Lee further bridges cultural divides, blending Korean melodic identity with Western choral tradition, as seen in his published work "A Change of Heart," performed by professional ensembles in South Korea.
Through his commitment to musical excellence, compassionate teaching, and innovative programming, Dr. Lee exemplifies how choral music transcends entertainment to become a potent force for human connection, well-being, and positive social transformation. In a world often marked by division, the unified voices of a choir offer a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the profound impact that can be achieved when individuals come together in harmony.
