“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”

CONFUCIUS

LEADERSHIP

Music Director & Conductor David Itkin

The 2023-2024 season marks Maestro David Itkin’s 19th season as Music Director and Conductor of the Abilene Philharmonic, and his 16th year serving as Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of North Texas College of Music, where his recent performances have included Mahler Symphony No. 6, the Verdi Requiem, Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Puccini’s Turandot, Verdi’s Otello, and Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen. During the 2018-2019 season he joined the Abilene Opera for a fully staged production of West Side Story, and continues to lead their annual performance of Messiah.

During the 2018-2019 season he also joined the Abilene Opera Company for Handel’s Messiah and a fully staged production of West Side Story.

2023-24 Board Of Governors and Staff

Joe Biles, 

President

 

Evan Simmons, 

President Elect

 

Gregory Straughn, 

Treasurer

 

Jill Estes Bailey, 

Secretary

David Bailey

Michelle Brookshire

Chris Carnohan

Samuel Cook

Amos Davis

Ryan Gibson

Mark Hoover,
Foundation President

Harry Hurt

Bethany Ibach

 

 

Frank Johnson

Sheila Kidd

Scott Lamb

Elizabeth Miller,
Guild President

Jim Pizzorno

Tyler Sitzes

Jennifer Snodgrass

Todd Wilson

Nick Williamson

George Woodward

John Doney
Executive Director
director@abilenephilharmonic.org

Mandy Gollihar
Assistant Executive Director
mgollihar@abilenephilharmonic.org

Drew Young
Director of Operations & Orchestra Personnel 
operations@abilenephilharmonic.org

Serayah Peters
Director of Sales & Marketing
speters@abilenephilharmonic.org

Susie Rockett
Director of Education & Outreach
srockett@abilenephilharmonic.org

CJ Johnson
Orchestra Librarian 
CJJohnson@abilenephilharmonic.org

MISSION STATEMENT

THE ABILENE PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION UNLEASHES THE POWER OF MUSIC TO ENTERTAIN, EDUCATE, AND INSPIRE THROUGH LIVE SYMPHONIC MUSIC AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

OUR HISTORY

Established
1950

The Abilene Philharmonic is one of Abilene’s most established performing arts organizations. Its history traces back to September 1950, when community supporters organized a musical group called the Abilene Symphony Orchestra with Jay Dietzer as its first conductor. Concerts were held in the old Abilene High School, now Lincoln Middle School.

The first program was presented December 2, 1950 with works by Beethoven, Schubert, Grieg and Wagner. Mr. Dietzer remained with the orchestra through three seasons...

Musician’s spotlight

DAVID SHEA

Clarinet

ALISON READ

Harp

MARK MORTON

Bass

Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra Auditions

The Abilene Philharmonic is a part-time per service orchestra, that is proud to employ some of the best musicians in the state of Texas. If you are interested in an audition, please review our openings and procedures.

ABILENE PHILHARMONIC GUILD

The Abilene Philharmonic Guild supports the APO through volunteering, fundraising, and friend-raising. This special group meets monthly and also coordinates the Belle and Beau usher program.

Membership to the Philharmonic Guild is $50 a year and you must have an active Philharmonic season subscription.

ABILENE PHILHARMONIC FOUNDATION

Making a difference in the lives of listeners around the Big Country

Founded by Conductor Laureate, George Yaeger, the Abilene Philharmonic Foundation manages an endowment that ensures the future financial well-being of Abilene’s professional orchestra.

THE INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS DEDICATED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES:

The distribution of funds is geared to perpetual support

Funds are invested conservatively and monitored for performance

Gifts support the orchestra now and in future generations

CAREERS

Our open roles

Internship-Education Programs

SUMMARY

This internship is an ideal position for those interested in exploring a position in music education within a professional symphony orchestra.  The Intern will work closely with all APO staff and provide support.  Duties include program planning, preparation, and project based work.

DUTIES

Essential Functions:

  • Assist with planning and execution of education activities.
  • Assist with setup and breakdown of Abilene Youth Orchestra rehearsals and concerts.
  • Music Librarian duties as assigned.
  • Filing and data entry.
  • Run errands.
  • Concert and event duties.

Other Functions:

  • Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:       High school diploma or GED.

Experience:     Previous experience in an office setting preferred.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:   Knowledge of standard office practices.  Excellent customer service skills.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Ability to work independently and take initiative when appropriate.  Writing/proofreading skills and an understanding of the English language (both written and oral) are required.  Ability to use standard office equipment such as copy machines, multi-line telephones, fax machines, personal computer.  Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite. Must be able to lift a minimum of 20 lbs.  Must be able to handle all aspects of position in a positive, professional, timely, and efficient manner.  Ability to interact in social settings and varied situations.  Music education background or currently studying music education preferred but not required.

Hours: 10 hours per week minimum.

Wage: $7.25/hour; College credit negotiable

Box Office/Admin Intern

Job Title: Internship

Reports to: Executive Director

SUMMARY
This internship is an ideal position for those interested in exploring a position in an orchestral and/or nonprofit
setting. The Intern will work closely with all APO staff and provide support. Duties include general clerical,
receptionist and project based work.

DUTIES
Essential Functions:
∙ Assists Box Office matters.
∙ Sorts/distributes mail. Assists with bulk mailers.
∙ Copies documents.
∙ Receives, screens and routes calls.
∙ Greets visitors.
∙ Filing and data entry.
∙ Run errands.
∙ Concert and event duties.

Other Functions:
∙ Projects as assigned by Marketing, Development,or Production departments. Performs other duties as
assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education: High school diploma or GED.

Experience: Previous experience in an office setting preferred.

Knowledge, skills and abilities: Knowledge of standard office practices. Excellent customer service skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work independently and take initiative when
appropriate. Writing/proofreading skills and an understanding of the English language (both written and oral) are
required. Ability to use standard office equipment such as copy machines, multi-line telephones, fax machines,
personal computers. Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite. Must be able to lift a minimum of 20 lbs. Must be able to
handle all aspects of position in a positive, professional, timely, and efficient manner. Ability to interact in social
settings and varied situations. Music background is a plus, but not required.

Hours: 10 hours per week minimum.

Wage: $7.25/hour; College credit negotiable.

Additional information: Required to work occasional evenings and weekends for concerts/events.

Send Resumes to :
Abilene Philharmonic Association
1102 North 3rd St, Suite C
Abilene, TX 79601
Email: info@abilenephilharmonic.org        Phone: 325-677-6710
Applications are currently being accepted until the position is filled

Please see our auditions page for
information on musician openings.

The 2023-2024 season marks Maestro David Itkin’s 19th season as Music Director and Conductor of the Abilene Philharmonic, and his 16th year serving as Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of North Texas College of Music, where his recent performances have included Mahler Symphony No. 6, the Verdi Requiem, Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Puccini’s Turandot, Verdi’s Otello, and Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen. During the 2018-2019 season he joined the Abilene Opera for a fully staged production of West Side Story, and continues to lead their annual performance of Messiah.

Following a distinguished 17-year tenure, Maestro Itkin was named Conductor Laureate of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in July 2010. Previously Mr. Itkin served as Music Director & Conductor of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Artistic Director and Conductor of the McCall Summerfest in McCall, Idaho, and as Music Director & Conductor of the Lake Forest Symphony (Chicago), the Kingsport Symphony, the Birmingham Opera Theatre, and the Lucius Woods Music Festival (Wisconsin).

During past seasons Maestro Itkin’s career has taken him to 45 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, the San Diego Symphony, and the Seoul Philharmonic. Other guest conducting appearances include concerts with the Colorado Philharmonic, the Annapolis Symphony, the National Repertory Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony, the Illinois Symphony, the Delaware Symphony, the New Hampshire Symphony, the Cheyenne Symphony, and the Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Reno Chamber Orchestras. During the Summer of 2006 Maestro Itkin appeared once again with the Slovenska Filharmonija in Ljubljana, Slovenia, conducting the opening concert of the 14th World Saxophone Congress.

His books, The Conductor’s Craft [2021] and Conducting Concerti [2014], have received wide acclaim. Leonard Slatkin “highly recommended” Conducting Concerti as “a valuable textbook for the aspiring Maestro,” and Samuel Adler wrote of The Conductor’s Craft,a real breakthrough aid for anyone studying or teaching conducting at any level.”

Mr. Itkin’s first film score (“Sugar Creek”) was recorded in 2006 by the Arkansas Symphony for the film’s 2007 release. “Exodus”, an oratorio, was premiered in April 2005 in Little Rock, with William Shatner narrating.

In May 2009 Maestro Itkin was awarded both an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by Lyon College and the Above the Barre award by Ballet Arkansas.

In addition to his professional schedule, Maestro Itkin regularly serves as a guest conductor/clinician, including concerts with the Arkansas All-State Orchestra, the Southern California High School Honors Orchestra, the Maine All-State Orchestra, the Las Vegas Senior Honors Orchestra, and several Texas all-region Honors Orchestras.

Also in demand as a speaker and lecturer, Mr. Itkin has been asked to lecture for a wide variety of organizations, including SilverSea cruise lines, two consecutive years as a featured lecturer for the Arkansas Governor’s School, the Texas Association of Symphony Orchestras, and a keynote address at the National Federation of Music Clubs national conference.