Professor Sinhaeng Lee conducting his choir in Colgate Memorial Chapel
Colgate Assistant Professor of Music Sinhaeng Lee has quickly established himself as a rising star in the world of choral conducting. In 2024, Lee was named Distinguished First Runner-up at Carnegie Hall’s conducting competition and secured first prize at the Korean Federation for Choral Music Conducting Competition. These achievements build upon earlier successes — placing third at the Korean Choral Directors Association & National Chorus of Korea Conducting Competition in November 2023, where he was also the youngest prize recipient of the year.
Reflecting on these milestones, Lee is pleased to have had the opportunity to compete in Korea’s rich choral music scene, where nearly every city has its own professional choir supported by local government funding. One of the highlights was rehearsing and conducting Gioachino Rossini’s music with the National Chorus of Korea.
“This competition provided me with valuable practical experience, and I was thrilled with the outcome.”
Lee’s competitive successes in Korea represent only a small part of his broader mission as a conductor and educator. His work is characterized by a research-through-conducting approach, in which he uses the practical challenges of rehearsals to inform his academic inquiries.
“Every gesture has meaning and is connected to the music and the musicians,” Lee says. “I’m constantly asking myself: What is the right gesture that fits my body? Experiencing and sharing music, especially in a choral setting, is about expressing your vulnerability through both music and emotion. How can I communicate this most effectively with my musicians?”
One of the most distinctive elements of Lee’s work is his cross-cultural approach to choral performance. Leading ensembles at Colgate, he brings together singers from diverse linguistic backgrounds, with non-native English speakers performing classical Western choral music and native English speakers taking on Korean choral pieces. Lee focuses his conducting on refining vowel sounds, which he views as essential to achieving a unified and high-quality performance, regardless of the language.
For instance, in Korean, vowel pronunciation varies depending on region and speaker. As for consonants, the ‘f’ sound doesn’t exist. To address these nuances, he has developed guidelines for choirs to navigate the inconsistencies that arise when Romanizing Korean into English. Even modifying an ‘r’ sound in American English can significantly enhance a performance.
Lee’s insights into cross-linguistic performance come from his experiences in both Korea and the United States. He contrasts the two countries’ choral traditions, noting that Korean choirs prioritize technical precision, while American ensembles focus more on emotional expression.
“I used to be an extremely demanding conductor, with little tolerance for mistakes in pitch or rhythm,” he admits. However, a turning point in his philosophy occurred when one of his mentors at Westminster Choir College advised him to trust the choir to correct minor mistakes.
“My mentor told me, ‘Choral music, being so deeply tied to the human voice, is close to the heart. Have faith in the choir and be gentle with them.’” Lee recalls. This advice transformed his approach, leading him to adopt a more balanced leadership style that values both high standards and empathy.
At Colgate, Lee’s work goes beyond conducting performances. He is deeply invested in mentoring his students and guiding them in developing their artistic identities. “Above all, my goal is to help students recognize and appreciate good music,” Lee explains.
Lee regularly invites professional conductors and singers, often fellow liberal arts graduates, to speak with his students about their future career paths. He also leads collaborative projects where students can connect with other musicians, such as upholding the longstanding partnership between the Colgate and Hamilton College choirs.
Looking forward, Lee hopes to take his students on international tours, with Korea as a primary destination. “My goal is to give students the opportunity to perform abroad while immersing them in diverse cultural experiences that will expand their artistic and personal perspectives,” he says. Lee is also preparing for a 2026 performance at Carnegie Hall, where he has been invited to conduct after his recent win.
Ultimately, whether Lee is competing abroad or conducting in the Colgate classroom, his passion for choral music and dedication to his students remain the core of his work. As Lee sees it, choral music offers valuable lessons not only for musicians but for society as a whole. “Choral music teaches us something essential for society — how to truly listen to one another,” says Lee. “This mutual listening creates harmony not just in music, but in life.”