Director Kimo Furumoto

New Leadership

Kimo Furumoto Is Named New Conductor of Rio Hondo Symphony Orchestra

June 16, 2009

This fall, Kimo Furumoto adds a new title to his long string of titles: music director and conductor of Whittier’s Rio Hondo Symphony Orchestra as the organization begins its 77th season.

The Cal State Fullerton associate professor of music, music director and conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra, was among four finalists for the Rio Hondo position this spring. As part of the selection process, each finalist was asked to lead the orchestra in one of last season's performances. Furumoto took the podium for the March 1 concert of “An American Rhapsody.”

Furumoto has been a member of the campus community since 2001. He also has served as music director and conductor with the Huntington Symphony Orchestra in W.VA.

Prior to joining Cal State Fullerton, he was director of orchestral activities and chair of the string division at Ohio University, as well as music director of the Concert Orchestra at the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music, where he earned his master’s and doctorate in music. He also has held the position of assistant conductor of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and assistant and associate conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra.

As a guest conductor, Furumoto has worked with orchestras both in the United States and Europe and studied conducting with such noted conductors as Leonard Bernstein and Robert Shaw.