New Music Director and Conductor

The Overland Park Orchestra is pleased to announce that Shokhrukh, “Shah”, Sadikov will be its new Music Director and Conductor beginning with the 2018-2019 Orchestra Season. Mr. Sadikov is currently Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, where he is also Music Director of the Hays Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Mr. Sadikov co-founded and became the CEO and conductor of a non-for-profit arts organization, NAVO (navoarts.com), whose mission is to create unique programs that challenge, entertain, and enrich the lives of underserved communities in the Midwest.

Much in demand as performer, conductor and teacher, Mr. Sadikov’s upcoming schedule includes engagements conducting the National Symphony Orchestra and Turkiston Chamber Orchestra in his native Uzbekistan, an invitation to conduct the Orquestra Sinfonica de Piracicaba in Brazil, and Shenyang Symphony in China, as well as an opera debut at Navoi National Opera Theater in Uzbekistan. He has studied and performed around the world, including holding a Conducting Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival and School in the summer of 2017, and performing at festivals in Portsmouth, NH, Washington, ME, Sarasota, FL Killington, VT, and Moscow, Russia.

About his position with the Overland Park Orchestra Mr. Sadikov said, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this wonderful orchestra with such enthusiastic musicians. I look forward to many years of fruitful work together while presenting amazing concerts to our audiences. “

James Funkhouser, who led the Overland Park Orchestra for 37 years, stepped down at the end of the 2017-1018 season, with a final concert in May.

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