Our offices will be closed from Dec. 25, 2023 - Jan. 1, 2024
All donations made online or postmarked by Dec. 31st will be counted in the 2023 tax year.

“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

Mandy Gollihar (Advisory)

Mark Hoover,
Foundation President

Bethany Ibach

Frank Johnson

Sheila Kidd

Scott Lamb

Elizabeth Miller,
Guild President

Jim Pizzorno

Tyler Sitzes

Jennifer Snodgrass

Todd Wilson

Nick Williamson

George Woodward

Liberty-Grace Bland
Executive Director
ED@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 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

Education Coordinator

Job Description 

Abilene Philharmonic Association 

JOB TITLE: Education Coordinator 

REPORTS TO: Executive Director 

SUPERVISES: Volunteers, Education Instructors 

CLASSIFICATION: Part-time, hourly, up to 10-15 hours per week. Varies depending on season. $25.00 per hour. 

 

JOB SUMMARY: Education Coordinator promotes, oversees, and ensures the successful implementation of youth orchestra programs including Abilene Youth Orchestra, Mission Strings, Youth Strings, and Baby Music. Will implement, and organize instrument petting zoos for Children’s Art + Literacy Festival (C.A.L.F.), Zoo Concerts, and other outreach opportunities. 

The Education Coordinator will work closely with the Board of Directors and the Education/Outreach Committee in planning and implementing new education projects as needed. 

 

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

 

Education Programs and Special Events 

The Education Coordinator fosters a direct connection between the APO and the Abilene community through various education opportunities, and plans and manages the following ongoing programs and activities: 

  • Hires and oversees all education program instructors (except for the AYO Music Director), providing contracts and payments for these employees. 
  • Maintains yearly education budget and tracks and receives all tuition dollars for education programs. 
  • Disseminates information (print and electronic), and engages volunteer support where needed. 
  • Works with the Executive Director to promote all education programs, events, and performances, and secures facilities for these events as required. 
  • Stays abreast of recent research on music education; identifies educational trends that may present new opportunities for the Association; recommends courses of action that take this information into account. 
  • Maintains ongoing programs: Suzuki Baby Music of Abilene; Mission: Strings – String Preparatory Program (Part I and Part II); Abilene Youth Strings; Abilene Youth Orchestra; Discover Music Concert Series (in conjunction with AISD, other outlying school districts and homeschools); Nelda Hodges Young Artist Competition; C.A.L.F. Instrument Petting Zoo. 
  • Works closely with participants’ parents, and addresses concerns as needed.

 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Experience in music/education 
  • Extensive experience working with parents and parent groups Professional and friendly demeanor 
  • Excellent communication skills and attentive to details Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment 
  • Capable of lifting up to 30 pounds 
  • Must be able to work on Sunday afternoons 
  • Reliable transportation 
  • Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required

 

Send Resumes to:
Abilene Philharmonic Association
Attention: Liberty-Grace Bland
1102 North 3rd St, Suite C. Abilene, TX 79601
ED@abilenephilharmonic.org 325.677.6710

Applications are currently being accepted until the position is filled. Start date available immediately. 

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.