David Itkin
David Itkin is conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Itkin is both a nationally and internationally known conductor. In addition to his work as the principle conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 1992, and the Abilene Philharmonic, a position he acquired in 2005, he has also guest-conducted orchestra all over the world. He has conducted in forty-four states and fifteen countries. His work has taken him to San Diego, Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Reno, as well as to Winnipeg, Canada, Seoul, South Korea, and Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Before coming to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Itkin held positions with the Lake Forest Symphony Orchestra (Chicago), the Kingsport Symphony (Tennessee), the Birmingham Opera Theatre (Alabama), and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to he work as a conductor, he is also an accomplished composer. "Jonah" (2000), a tone poem for narrator and orchestra was nominated for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize. His oratorio "Exodus" was premiered in April 2005, narrated by William Shatner.
