Our Conductor
Wayne Reinecke, who is beginning his 20th year as Conductor and Music Director of the Rio Hondo Symphony, has had a significant career as a music educator in California.
A retired Assistant Professor of Music at Pasadena City College, Reinecke taught in California schools for 30 years, including 11 years at Arcadia High School. He has been invited to conduct numerous honor orchestras.
Reinecke began his orchestral career under the tutelage of Ruth Haroldson, long-time violin instructor at Whittier college who founded the orchestra in 1933.
A graduate of Whittier College, Reinecke earned his Master's Degree from Cal State Long Beach and later completed additional graduate study at USC.
During his long teaching career, the accomplished conductor was recognized with an honorary life membership in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association.
As Music Director, Reinecke is responsible for concert programming for each season. The performances must be balanced musically, attract a diverse audience, and be sufficiently challenging to stimulate the interest of the musicians. During the last 17 years he has developed a loyal nucleus of musicians who perform in almost every concert, so that each year the orchestra continues to grow in stature.
Because of his many contacts and his reputation in the music world, each year Reinecke is able to attract internationally known soloists who perform at the concerts.
The dedicated conductor, who is also responsible for the Children's Concerts, displays an enviable rapport with the young audience. The concerts are always geared to the level of understanding and interests of young people so that they learn eagerly, easily and are very attentive.
Reinecke also continues to conduct the Pasadena Community Orchestra which he founded. Currently he performs locally as a violinist in chamber groups. He is the Rio Hondo Symphony's fifth conductor in 75 years, being preceded by Ruth Haroldson, Mehle Mehta, Alberto Bolet, and Dr. Hans Lampl.