Abilene Philharmonic celebrates 74 seasons

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – Since 1950, The Abilene Philharmonic has been entertaining audiences, with every concert telling unique stories through music. Maestro David Itkin joined the Abilene Philharmonic in 2005. Now entering his 20th season, Itkin shares he focused on bringing musicians from all over Texas to Abilene to fill the 75 spots that make an orchestra.

“Incredible musicians who are coming from all over Texas and surrounding Texas to play for us. It’s about finding ways to get the very best people to come play with us because we are a drive to a lot of people. It is the very excellent colleagues that get other excellent colleagues to come here and play,” added Itkin’s.

Ben Fairfield has been with the philharmonic for seven seasons. Attracted to the trumpet due to how its sound can fill a whole room. Now working as principal trumpet.

“Be loud and boisterous when it needs to be. It can be very soft and mellow play beautiful lyrical melodies. It’s a very versatile instrument. As principal trumpet, it’s kind of my role, I think to set the style for the brass section in particular. We are the loudest voice in the orchestra,” explained Fairfield.

When a singer is performing, they connect with the audience through lyrics; when it’s an orchestra, it’s the voice of the instruments connecting with the audience.

“If we can be those storytellers in sound without the lyrics, then we did our jobs,” shared Fairfield.

According to Itkin, what keeps the Abilene Philharmonic going is its willingness to change, which encourages everyone to hear the sounds at least once.

“Branching out into hearing the music of more living composers, of female composers, of these people who haven’t been heard enough but are writing really wonderful music. You only have to come once to be hooked. You’ll never be hooked if you don’t come. So do something different if you never been and come and see us, and you’ll figure out why all of these people are filling this hall,” expressed Itkin.

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