Videos

https://youtu.be/vfDSE4cottY
Gershwin: An American in Paris

https://youtu.be/m6x60OEF5g4
Piazzolla: Oblivion with diatonic accordionist Lolo and tango dancers Irina and Edgardo.

https://youtu.be/bwC9sJ31XJo
Brahms/Parlow: Hungarian Dance No. 5

https://youtu.be/dyAxUG0helI
Márquez: Danzón No. 2

https://youtu.be/joDHs58LEi4
Rehearsal excerpt from Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich's first encounter with Copland Concerto for Clarinet

https://youtu.be/bQBbOPYDuIw
Austin Ali: Blissful Nightmares

Quotes

"Jason Hong has done outstanding work with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and I can highly recommend him. He is a very intelligent and talented musician who shows great promise in his future career as a conductor."
- David Zinman (Honorary Music Director, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich; Five Grammy Awards)

"I found Jason Hong in possession of a keen mind. His ears picked up the slightest changes in nuances and voicing. Not much escapes his attention... The clarity of his gestures conveys a conductor in control of the music. I think he has a tremendous future."
- Cho-Liang Lin (Internationally Acclaimed Violin Soloist; Former Music Director, La Jolla Music Society SummerFest)

"I am impressed with Jason's clear and incisive conducting technique. He is easy to watch, follow, and collaborate with. He does not waste motions, is knowledgeable, and is always respectful of his players. Jason is an imminently sensible person and is highly intelligent. In my 15 years as Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra, I have seen many types of young conductors pass through: some as cover conductors, some as assistants, and some to simply audition for a position. I have observed many of these young people making the usual foolish mistakes of talking too much in rehearsal, poorly managing their time, and becoming caricatures of famous maestros. One doesn't have to worry about this with Jason. While still maintaining his humility, he possesses a quiet self-confidence that works well with his solid music making... He would make an ideal assistant conductor with any major orchestra."
- David Kim (Concertmaster, The Philadelphia Orchestra)

"I began studying conducting with Jason Hong as an undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Austin - Butler School of Music... Jason and I studied scores together, discussed rehearsal technique, and delved into what makes an effective leader on the podium. Above all, Jason impressed upon me the value of scholarship, critical research, and impeccably thorough study, values that still permeate throughout my work as a conductor. Under Jason’s tutelage, I was quickly appointed as Music Director of the UT Austin Engineering Chamber Orchestra, my first conducting post. Jason helped me navigate the beginnings of how to build chemistry with an orchestra through exuding enthusiasm and commitment to a high level of achievement. As a student at the university, I also had the opportunity to observe Jason build the UT University Orchestra from 40 members to over 100. Modeling Jason’s thorough preparation, positive attitude, and 110% commitment, I was able to build Density512, a professional contemporary chamber orchestra in Austin, TX. Jason continued to mentor me, especially through my pursuit of entering a top-tier graduate conducting program. I was a finalist for the M.M. in Orchestral Conducting program at Juilliard and completed an M.M. in Orchestral Conducting at Boston University with Maestro Bramwell Tovey - I am certain that without Jason’s guidance and teaching, I would not have had the opportunity to pursue conducting study at the next level. I highly regard Jason Hong’s mentorship and teaching abilities and would consider him a strong asset to any collegiate program. Jason is hard-working, diligent, kind, and brings a positive energy to everything he does. Please consider this to be a recommendation without any reservations."
- Jacob Schnitzer, DMA (2023 Solti Foundation US Career Assistance Awardee)

"Mr. Hong was one of the most, if not the most talented student I have had at UT. He was always well-prepared. He was quite thorough in his preparation of the rehearsals. He has excellent technique and communicates his ideas not only through his baton technique but also through his wonderfully expressive face. He lives and breathes the music to such an extent that his unbounded enthusiasm served as inspiration to his young orchestra. As a leader and a conductor, he was well-respected by his peers, his colleagues, and those who played under his baton. He has helped the UT University Orchestra grow from 40 to approximately 100 members in just 2 years. Jason is a natural born communicator and orchestra builder. His enthusiasm is contagious and his music-making exciting."
- Gerhardt Zimmermann (Music Director, Canton Symphony; Former Professor of Conducting, Butler School of Music - University of Texas Austin)

"Conductor/musicologist Jason Hong has proven himself to be exceptionally bright, knowledgeable, original, and conscientious, and it is obvious that he has been able to absorb and organize a significant amount of historical and theoretical material from his musicological studies... Jason's exams and papers as well as our personal musical discussions have revealed him to have superior intelligence, musicality, and keen knowledge of the historical and musical materials. Jason's class work (exams, etc.) and papers reveal profound insights in his scrutiny of the musical language, aesthetics, and broader historical context of music of various eras... Jason has revealed a superior ability in utilizing research resources for developing his ideas in a logical and cohesive manner, and he is perceptive in arriving at valid and meaningful conclusions. He ranks in the top 5% of all the music students I have taught since 1973. Furthermore, Jason is thoughtful, considerate, and has been reliable in all areas of our work together. On the basis of the above comments, I am pleased to provide the highest recommendation for Jason Hong. He has my unequivocal endorsement."
- Elliott Antokoletz, PhD (20th Century Music and Bartók Authority Musicologist)

"He is one of the finest conductors I have seen in my 51 years of teaching collegiate graduate conductors… His background includes both instrumental and choral music. He, therefore, will be strong in both orchestral and choral areas of conducting - especially major choral works with orchestra. His solid musicianship, abundant energy, deep passion, and true leadership qualities are indeed rare, and his positive and friendly personality all combine to assure his continued success as a professional conductor. Jason is a relentless, hard-working, highly motivated musician/conductor who inspires those same qualities in the members of his orchestra or chorus. His rehearsals are filled with musical knowledge, technical substance, and personal inspiration. He immediately gains the full respect and admiration of both professional and collegiate ensembles. Jason’s conducting is best described as artistic, musical, inspiring, passionate, and focused on fully serving the composer, the ensemble, and the audience. His rehearsal process is economic, thoroughly planned and prepared, and totally respectful of the players and/or singers. His abilities, plus his warm and sincere personality, will ensure significant recruiting and retaining of new students - for whom he will be a wonderful role model. I have followed Jason’s career since he completed his studies at UCLA, and found him continuing to succeed immensely with both collegiate and highly professional ensembles. He possesses that all too rare gift: Jason becomes the music. I recommend him heartily and without reservation."
- Donald Neuen (Distinguished Professor Emeritus, UCLA; Former Professor of Conducting, Eastman School of Music)

"... accumulated wisdom, accrued experience, insight, formidable people and communication skills, leadership, and above all, considerable creativity. Jason brings all of these attributes to the table... I have also witnessed him conducting challenging contemporary works, to which he brings the same passion and high level of preparation that he bestows upon all... Jason Hong has the desire, the talent, and the determination to achieve great things as a conductor. I give him my highest, unqualified recommendation."
- Ian Krouse, DM (Composition Co-Head/Distinguished Professor, UCLA Music)