our maestro

Fred Leder was appointed Music Director of The Villages Pops Orchestra, succeeding Kerry Nichols who stepped down in August of 2023.

Mr. Leder began his formal music education at New York University and holds bachelors and advanced degrees. His continuing education focused on Orchestral Conducting. He participated in Advanced Conducting Seminars, one of which was at Lincoln Center, taught by Leonard Bernstein and other noted conductors. Advanced studies and a degree also include Trumpet Performance. Mr. Leder played in many New York area and Florida ensembles. He held the principal trumpet chair with The Westchester Philharmonic and the same position with The Alhambra Orchestra in Miami. He also conducted numerous bands and orchestras while living in South Florida. In 2024, Mr. Leder performed in the pit orchestra for the Middleton Villages High School presentation of Sweeney Todd at the Tracy Performing Arts Center and again in 2025 in he pit orchestra for Fiddler on the Roof.

Mr. Leder and his wife Judy moved to The Villages in 2022 and he joined The Villages Pops Orchestra’s trumpet section. Currently he also plays with The Villages Concert Band and The Hometown Band