Overland Park Orchestra hires Shokhrukh ‘Shah’ Sadikov as first new conductor in 37 years

  Jay Senter  - Arts
The Overland Park Orchestra plays a series of shows throughout the city each year. The new conductor will be the group’s first in 37 years.

The Overland Park Orchestra has hired Shokhrukh ‘Shah’ Sadikov, currently a professor of violin and viola at Fort Hays State University, to become the group’s first new conductor in 37 years.

Shokhrukh Sadikov
Shokhrukh ‘Shah’ Sadikov will lead the Overland Park Orchestra.

Sadikov will replace James Funkhouser, who led the orchestra for nearly four decades before stepping down at the end of the 2017-18 season.

A native of Uzbekistan, he has conducted orchestras around the world. His current schedule has engagements booked leading orchestras in Brazil, China and Uzbekistan.

The Overland Park Orchestra is an all-volunteer organization that receives part of its financial support from the city. Founded in 1973, it performs a variety of concerts each year, including shows at the Overland Park Fall Festival, the Overland Park Arboretum, and an annual Halloween concert.

Sadikov said he was excited about the new opportunity.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this wonderful orchestra with such enthusiastic musicians,” he said. “I look forward to many years of fruitful work together while presenting amazing concerts to our audiences.”