Arkansas Symphony performs
in Fowler Center on April 26

April 13, 2005--The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Itkin will present a concert at Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, on Tuesday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m., as part of the Riceland Distinguished Performance Series.

The concert will include classical pieces during the first half of the concert and popular music following intermission.

Approaching its 40^th year, the Arkansas Symphony performs more than 30 concerts at Robinson Center Music Hall each year in its Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks, Pops, LIVE!, Crayon Concert and special events. In addition, the orchestra maintains a busy schedule of statewide touring, chamber music, and educational performances in numerous venues, including a new partnership with the Arkansas Arts Center to present the Art of Music Chamber Series.

With a budget of $3.5 million, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra boasts an impressive list of distinguished guest artists such as The Four Tops, Maya Angelou, Micheal Bolton, Van Cliburn, former President Bill Clinton, Alicia DeLarrocha, Mignon Dunn, Danny Glover, Marilyn Horne, Al Jarreau, James Earl Jones, Yo-Yo Ma, Martina McBride, Maureen McGovern, Lisa Minnelli, Olivia Newton-John, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Doc Severinsen, Andre Watts, Mary Wilson and many others.

A vital part of the symphony is the resident string quartets, the Quapaw Quartet, the ASO Partners and the Arkansas Youth Orchestra. Comprised of the state’s most sought after professional musicians, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra is heard by more than 250,000 Arkansans each year.

Beginning his 12^th season as music director and conductor for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Itkin is well known in the U.S. and internationally as a guest conductor. During the past several years, Itkin’s career has taken him to 43 states and 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia including recent concerts in Canada and Slovenia.

Other recent guest conducting engagements include concerts with the Seoul Philharmonic, the San Diego Symphony, the Illinois Symphony, the Shanghai Broadcast Symphony, and many other international venues.

Tickets for this event are $25 and $20 for adults and $18 and $14 for seniors, students and ASU faculty and staff. ASU students receive a special rate of $9 and $6. They may be purchased by calling the Central Box Office at 870-972-2781 or online tickets may be purchased at http://tickets.astate.edu.

For more information, please call the Fowler Center at 870-972-3471.

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