Kenneth D. Sanson Jr.

1932 - 2022

July 26, 1932 - September 15, 2021 As a member of the Pasadena Boys Choir, Ken sang in visiting productions of operas, including Carmen and Tosca when a children's chorus was needed. "After we completed our part, I would stay backstage and watch the rest of the performance through a small hole in the set," he recalled. This started what would be a life-long passion for opera, singing and leading internationally acclaimed choirs.

Ken was a member of the Roger Wagner Chorale for 11 years, touring throughout the Americas and Japan. He was the Musical Director of the United States Third Army Band Male Chorus during his WWII military service. Ken sang in the motion picture scores for The Robe (1953) and The Gallant Hours (1960). He was a member of the chorus for the San Francisco and Metropolitan Opera companies during their tours to Los Angeles.

Ken taught choral music, English and history in California public schools after receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Occidental College in 1954. He earned his Master of Arts degree in music from USC in 1966 with a thesis entitled An Analysis of Factors Contributing to the Success of Selected Southern California High School Choirs.

After completing a 1966 Rockefeller Foundation program for the training of music critics, a job at Chicago's American came next where he reviewed and wrote features regarding the cultural offerings of the Windy City until 1973. Zsa Zsa Gabor was among those whom he interviewed. He wrote reviews of opera, symphony, recitals, chamber music, theatre, ballet, record critiques, think pieces, the weekly calendar and composed and edited program notes.

Ken acquired a teaching position at Chicago's American Conservatory of Music in 1969 and was a guest faculty member at Chicago's Musical College of Roosevelt University. He taught Music Literature, Aesthetics & Criticism, Choral Conducting, part singing in Vocal ensemble and conducted their Concert Choir and Chamber Singers.

Following his return to Los Angeles in 1982, he wrote features, interviews of musical artists and opera reviews for the Los Angeles Times, Long Beach Press-Telegram, San Francisco Chronicle and The Christian Science Monitor.

Ken's homecoming coincided with the founding of the LA Opera. He was a founding subscriber and annual donor. His wish to expose others to the world's top vocalists motivated his $1 million gift to the LA Opera and gifts to the San Francisco Opera, the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and USC's Thornton School of Music Choral Department.

His $1 million legacy to the LA Opera will underwrite support for future productions with large choruses, such as this season's Tannhäuser and Aida, and the Javier Camarena recital on March 31st and April 2nd.

A tribute to Ken and a celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Michael's Tuscany in San Pedro, featuring a musical program by the last choir he directed, followed by lunch. Call (310) 548-1001 by 3/12/22 to reserve a seat.

In lieu of flowers, buy an opera ticket or make a donation to the last church choir Ken directed, the San Pedro United Methodist Church, for its solo quartet salaries.