Sam Denov

Sam Denov, who retired in 1985, was a percussionist and timpanist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 31 years after being hired by the CSO’s legendary Music Director, Fritz Reiner. That was preceded by three years in the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra and two years in the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared in concert and heard on recordings, radio and television throughout the world. His biographical sketch appeared in Who’s Who In America and Who’s Who In Entertainment for thirty years. He is also an author, educator, lecturer and union activist, best known as a founder of the International Conference of Symphony & Opera Musicians (ICSOM).

He was a scholarship student of Roy C. Knapp, famous teacher of “Gene” Krupa and many other stellar percussionists. Enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II and graduating from the Navy School of Music, he served with the Band of the Commander, Fourth Fleet and the Fleet Air Wing 16 Band.

He graduated from Roosevelt University and also attended the John Marshall Law School. After retiring from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, he became a self-employed labor relations consultant and represented clients before the National Labor Relations Board.

He has authored several books and many articles in trade and scholarly publications. He has also been featured in film and on video by the Zildjian, Yamaha, and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM).