David Itkin, Music Director

  

The 2007-2008 season marks Maestro David Itkin’s 3rd season as Music Director and Conductor of the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, his 1st season as Conductor of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and his 15th year as Music Director and Conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. 

This season Maestro Itkin’s guest conducting engagements include the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra and a 10-day teaching and conducting sojourn at the University of North Texas College of Music.  During the past several seasons Maestro Itkin’s career has taken him to 44 U.S. states and 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including concerts and recordings with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Slovenska Filhamonija at Cancarjev Dom in Ljubljana, Slovenia.  Other recent guest conducting appearances include concerts with the Seoul Philharmonic, the San Diego Symphony, the Colorado Philharmonic, and the Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Reno Chamber Orchestras.   During the Summer of 2006 Maestro Itkin appeared once again with the Slovenska Filharmonija, conducting the opening concert of the 14th World Saxophone Congress. 

Twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize as a composer (“Jonah” [2001], and “Exodus” [2006]), Mr. Itkin’s first film score (“Sugar Creek”) was recorded in 2006 by the Arkansas Symphony for the film’s 2007 release.  His most recent major work, “Exodus”, an oratorio, was premiered in April 2005 in Little Rock, with William Shatner narrating.   “Exodus” will be released on CD in late 2007. 

Mr. Itkin is also in great demand as a speaker and lecturer.  During the Summer of 2007 he was a featured lecturer at the Arkansas Governor’s School for the 2nd consecutive year, and lectured in Europe for Silversea cruise lines. 

Maestro Itkin’s previous positions include serving as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Lake Forest Symphony Orchestra in Chicago (1997-2000), Music Director/Conductor of the Kingsport Symphony (Tenn.) (1992-1995), Music Director of the Birmingham Opera Theatre (1992-1995), and Music Director for the Lucius Woods Festival Concerts in Solon Springs, Wisconsin (1993-2000).  From 1988 to 1993 he served as Associate Conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, during which time he was made Honorary Lt. Governor of the State of Alabama for outstanding service to the Arts.

 

 

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