February 1, 2025
Meet the Musicians
Kum Mo Kim
Kum Mo Kim joined the San Francisco Symphony second violin section in 1975 under Seiji Ozawa.
How did you begin playing violin?
My father was a violinist who founded the Seoul Philharmonic, and my mother was a pianist, so music was in my family. My mother started me on piano when I was five, but then saw I have a crooked pinky finger, so she thought the violin was a better choice for me. I switched to violin when I was seven, and to this day I’m so grateful because I just love its sound. There’s nothing else that can go right to your heart.
What were your next steps in becoming a professional musician?
I came to America in 1963 when I was invited to the Ventnor Music Festival in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I was 16 and not very experienced with orchestral playing, but they actually put me in the concertmaster seat doing Shostakovich Fifth Symphony. After finishing high school, I went to the University of Michigan, where my sister also attended. I finished my bachelor’s degree in three years and then went to Juilliard for a master’s, where I studied with Ivan Galamian. After Juilliard, I was planning to go to Yale for a doctorate, but I happened to visit Washington, DC, in April and fell in love with the city and its cherry blossoms. It turned out the National Symphony had an audition that weekend, so I tried out and won it. I played in the opening concert of the Kennedy Center in 1971 and stayed for four years. I joined the San Francisco Symphony in June 1975.
Story continues below...
How did you begin playing violin?
My father was a violinist who founded the Seoul Philharmonic, and my mother was a pianist, so music was in my family. My mother started me on piano when I was five, but then saw I have a crooked pinky finger, so she thought the violin was a better choice for me. I switched to violin when I was seven, and to this day I’m so grateful because I just love its sound. There’s nothing else that can go right to your heart.
What were your next steps in becoming a professional musician?
I came to America in 1963 when I was invited to the Ventnor Music Festival in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I was 16 and not very experienced with orchestral playing, but they actually put me in the concertmaster seat doing Shostakovich Fifth Symphony. After finishing high school, I went to the University of Michigan, where my sister also attended. I finished my bachelor’s degree in three years and then went to Juilliard for a master’s, where I studied with Ivan Galamian. After Juilliard, I was planning to go to Yale for a doctorate, but I happened to visit Washington, DC, in April and fell in love with the city and its cherry blossoms. It turned out the National Symphony had an audition that weekend, so I tried out and won it. I played in the opening concert of the Kennedy Center in 1971 and stayed for four years. I joined the San Francisco Symphony in June 1975.
Story continues below...
Do you have a concert day routine?
I have an early dinner because our call time is 7:30pm. I arrive about 45 minutes early to warm up, have some tea, and get ready. As a violinist, you have to take care of your neck and back, so I stretch with a roller in the locker room.
Can you tell us about your instrument and bow?
I have an old Italian violin which I’ve used for almost 40 years. The maker is unknown (thought to be Varotti) so it was not as expensive, but I love the sound. I will donate it to the Symphony when I retire because I want it to carry on to the next young person who needs a good violin. I use an old French bow by Voirin. It makes a beautiful sound and is light and versatile.
What do you like to do outside the orchestra?
I absolutely love ballroom dancing because it’s good exercise, you move to the music, and you meet good people. I go every week, sometimes two or three times, and I’ve been doing that for almost 40 years.
What do you love about the SF Symphony?
Everybody in the Symphony is a top player. It’s really inspiring to be able to make great music with all these talented people. We also have so many talented young soloists and great conductors coming with different ideas and stories to inspire you. I feel so blessed to have made music for 50 years doing what I love.
I have an early dinner because our call time is 7:30pm. I arrive about 45 minutes early to warm up, have some tea, and get ready. As a violinist, you have to take care of your neck and back, so I stretch with a roller in the locker room.
Can you tell us about your instrument and bow?
I have an old Italian violin which I’ve used for almost 40 years. The maker is unknown (thought to be Varotti) so it was not as expensive, but I love the sound. I will donate it to the Symphony when I retire because I want it to carry on to the next young person who needs a good violin. I use an old French bow by Voirin. It makes a beautiful sound and is light and versatile.
What do you like to do outside the orchestra?
I absolutely love ballroom dancing because it’s good exercise, you move to the music, and you meet good people. I go every week, sometimes two or three times, and I’ve been doing that for almost 40 years.
What do you love about the SF Symphony?
Everybody in the Symphony is a top player. It’s really inspiring to be able to make great music with all these talented people. We also have so many talented young soloists and great conductors coming with different ideas and stories to inspire you. I feel so blessed to have made music for 50 years doing what I love.
