LW Orchestra appoints Samuel K. Kim conductor

The Leisure World Orchestra board appointed Samuel K. Kim as its new conductor. He replaces Rae Boeving, who passed away in February. Kim is a resident of Mutual 12 and was formerly the orchestra’s first clarinet player.

Kim’s strong musical background includes a doctorate in musical arts from the University of Southern California, received in 1994; he majored in choral conducting and minored in orchestral conducting. Prior to that, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1979. He has conducted several church choirs and has been the guest conductor at many festivals and workshops.

The orchestra continues to grow after being shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 18 musicians showing up to play in the days after the Fourth of July.

Though it has added three violinists, a pianist, a flutist, a trumpeteer and a sax player, the group is still in need of a drummer and brass players, especially trombonists.

Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the Amphitheater at noon. The orchestra plays classical selections including “Scheherazade” by Rimsky-Korsakov, the “Hallelujah” chorus by Handel, “Radetzky March” by Strauss, “Hansel and Gretel” by Humperdinck, the “Blue Danube” waltz by Strauss, and the argonaise from “Carmen” by Bizet.

Those interested in joining should contact Fred Reker at (615) 898-0669 or fredreker326@gmail.com. —Fred Reker

Samuel K. Kim