Cape Symphony conductor/artistic director Jung-Ho Pak leaving after 16 years

After 16 years, Cape Symphony’s conductor and artistic director Jung-Ho Pak is leaving at the end of the summer.

A near-constant presence in Cape schools, at community events and behind the baton at Cape Symphony concerts, Pak has been credited with increasing the Cape Symphony’s reach and diversifying its audience.

Pak has been the driving force for collaborations ranging from working with Cotuit Center for the Arts actors on  “The Wizard of Oz in Concert” to hosting young talent and guest musicians from around the world, most recently when Chinese dissident poet Wang Ping and Iranian composer Niloufar Shiri joined at a Mother’s Day concert celebrating women storytellers.

“I only have to look at the most recent show to signal the impact he has. Bringing in an Iranian performer on an instrument (kamāncheh) most people have not heard before. And when Ping gave her story, it was very moving,” said Anthony Panebianco, chairman of the Cape Symphony’s board of trustees.

Looking back: Cape Symphony Conductor Jung-Ho Pak visits All-Cape Music Festival to work their Orchestra

“As artistic director, he frames the shows,” Panebianco said. “In every show that we’ve had, whether he is the conductor or there’s a guest conductor, you see there's a little twinkle in his eyes because he loves doing this so much.”

Pak could not be reached by email or phone Thursday for comment on his departure.

In a written release from Cape Symphony, he said, "It has been a great honor" to serve as artistic director and conductor of the Cape Symphony.

"I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident that the orchestra will continue to thrive under new leadership," he said in the release.

Panebianco said Pak’s greatest joy is working with children.

Working with local educators, Pak started a program that has a piece of classical music played on the intercom each morning as a primer to the genre.

In his bio at Interlochen Center of the Arts, Pak said, “My goal is to unleash every musician's individual personality through their art.”

Panebianco said Pak will continue leading the Fremont Symphony Orchestra in California. The conductor, 61, has had homes on both coasts, splitting his time between the two for the past 16 years.

In a statement announcing Pak’s upcoming departure, Cape Symphony officials said they will reach out to guest conductors through 2024 while conducting a search for Pak’s replacement.

Panebianco said it will be difficult to replace the artistic rigor and pure joy Pak brings to the job.

Pak was able to convey his artistic vision and, through emotion, touch so many people.

"Being able to convey his artistic vision and, through emotion, touch so many people has been wonderful to watch,” Panebianco said.

In his bio at Interlochen Center of the Arts in Interlochen, Michigan, Pak wrote, “My goal is to unleash every musician's individual personality through their art.”

Panebianco said Pak’s sense of fun will also be missed.

“His last concert is ‘Star Wars’ (July 29-30) and I would love to see him use a lightsaber as his baton, at least for a little while,” he said.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Symphony trustee says Jung-Ho Pak will be missed for music, joy