Justin Han’s journey in music is one of connection and community.
Once a concert pianist, Han found himself drawn to the vibrant world of choral music, leading him to pursue a choral conducting degree at Georgia State University after earning his undergraduate music degree from the University of Georgia in 2017.
“Being a concert pianist is a very lonely route,” he expressed, highlighting his shift towards the communal aspects of music.
Currently, Han balances multiple roles in his musical career.
He teaches biology at GSU Perimeter College while also serving as a high school chorus teacher, the music director at Emory Presbyterian Church, and the artistic director of the Athens Master Chorale.
Outside of teaching, Han is an active performer, singing with the professional choir Kinnara and engaging with the musical community on social media, as seen when he transformed the 16th-century anthem ‘If Ye Love Me’ by Thomas Tallis into a Sacred Harp-style rendition for Instagram.
A self-professed “ginormous jazz fan,” he enjoys participating in local jam sessions and has even attempted to launch a vocal jazz group in Atlanta.
His love for both baroque and jazz stems from their improvisational nature.
In a significant new chapter of his musical evolution, Han is expanding his horizons into orchestral conducting.
He is among six conductors selected for the Georgia Festival of Music’s (GFM) conducting program.
Led by conductor Michael Palmer, the GFM conducts a week of intense study in conducting for participants chosen from a national pool of 22 applicants.
Following their rigorous training, students rehearse with a smaller ensemble before conducting full orchestras, which include members from prominent organizations like the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Opera Orchestra.
They also receive insights into the business side of the music industry, culminating in a grand-finale concert at Saint Mark United Methodist Church.
Each conductor will showcase their skills by leading their chosen musical pieces, including selections from classical masters such as Haydn, Mozart, and Dvorak, with a winner being determined from the performances.
This year’s cohort is a diverse mix of emerging conductors and seasoned professionals.
Last year, the GFM debuted its competition with only two conductors performing.
Palmer has ambitions to expand the program in the future, hoping to include more conductors and concerts leading up to the event.
The GFM aims to not only provide opportunities but also infuse fresh perspectives into the Atlanta music scene.
Palmer’s connection to Atlanta dates back to when he arrived in the city at the age of 21, encouraged by the former ASO Music Director Robert Shaw.
During his initial decade in the city, he played a vital role in enhancing the orchestra’s prominence.
After a hiatus, he returned to Atlanta in 2004 to teach at Georgia State University, later founding the Georgia Music Festival to facilitate music during the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s off-season, while also aiming to cultivate the next generation of music directors.
“I want to do what I can to pass on a tradition,” Palmer stated, invoking the legacy of significant conducting figures like Shaw and George Szell.
His commitment focuses on comprehensive teaching, not just of conducting techniques, but also of the significance of being a dedicated music director.
For Han, the experience of conducting the first movement of Mozart’s 29th Symphony is a nostalgic one.
Having performed it previously in high school, he finds the whimsical nature of the piece resonates profoundly with him.
“I particularly loved Mozart as a kid, and he’s my main man now,” Han said fondly.
As a choral conductor stepping into orchestral music, Han is mindful of his approach to preparation.
He aims to preserve the emotional integrity of the music without over-intellectualizing the score.
His focus remains on the audience, ensuring that the essence of each composition shines through.
Beyond introducing new talents, the GFM is committed to bringing diverse artistic voices into the Atlanta music landscape.
Logan Souther, the associate conductor of the festival, emphasizes that while iconic institutions like the ASO are essential, they often represent a narrow artistic perspective.
“For a classical music scene to thrive in a world-class city like Atlanta, there needs to be new artistic voices and many voices,” Souther remarked.
Palmer’s methods align with this ethos, as he seeks to develop conductors who understand their role as integral parts of their communities, rather than mere figureheads at the podium.
He critiques the trend of orchestras prioritizing spectacle over substance, stating, “The orchestra went from being a powerful voice for music and for the importance of art for the people to having become a glitzy, professional, big-time orchestra.”
Palmer’s vision for the future counters this trend by focusing on the art of conducting rooted in community engagement.
“The young conductor gets enamored very quickly with dreams of being a star, but it’s so antithetical to conducting as an art,” he explained.
By imparting this philosophy to the next generation, Palmer and Souther aim to enrich Atlanta’s classical music environment.
We strive to create music of the highest caliber while fostering meaningful relationships between musicians and audiences,” Souther concluded.
The Emerging Conductors Concert is set for 8 p.m. on June 28 at Saint Mark United Methodist Church.
Tickets are available for $25.
Through events like this, the Georgia Festival of Music continues to nurture talent and invigorate the local music scene, keeping the spirit of collaboration alive in every note.
image source from：artsatl
