Returning for the third year, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Itkin will present a concert of both classical and popular music at the Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, on Tuesday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m., as part of the Riceland Distinguished Performance Series.

The first half of the concert will include “Symphony No. 8, in B minor unfinished” by Schubert and Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture.” The second half of the concert will include music from “Les Miserables,” “The Lord of the Dance,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” a setting of great cowboy melodies by John Williams, and arrangements from familiar American songs. 

The Arkansas Symphony, now in its 38^th year, 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. 

A vital part of the symphony is the resident string quartets, the Quapaw Quartet, the ASO Partners and the Arkansas Youth Orchestras.

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 11^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 Solvenia.

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 the 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 870-910-8115.