Maestro Silas Huff, DMA, visits Millikin University on October 11, 2025, as the first finalist for the open Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra (MDSO) conductor position. Huff will be the first of three finalists to lead a concert of MDSO’s Masterworks series. At the end of the 25-26 season, a permanent conductor will be selected.
Dr. Huff will lead the MDSO Masterworks I: Apotheosis of the Dance, featuring soloist David Cook, for a dance-inspired program of Dvořák's Slavonic Dances, Weber's second clarinet concerto and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7.
Huff is Music Director of the Clinton Symphony Orchestra (IA), Director of Maestro Masterclasses and Conductor of the International Concerto Festival (Czech Republic).
Past positions include Director of Orchestras at Northern Illinois University (IL) and Washburn University (KS); Music Director of the Astoria Symphony Orchestra (NYC), U.S. Army Orchestra (DC), 562nd Air Force Band (CA), 44th Army Band (NM), Round Rock Symphony Orchestra (TX), and the critically acclaimed Lost Dog New Music Ensemble (NYC).
A Veteran of the United States Army and United States Air Force, Major Huff served as Director, U.S. Army Orchestra (Washington, D.C.); Company Commander, Army School of Music (Virginia Beach); Commander, “New Mexico’s Own” 44th Army Band; and Commander, Air Guard Band of the West Coast.
Huff holds degrees from Texas State University, University of California Los Angeles, and University of Colorado Boulder. In 2001, he was named Conductor of the Year by California State University. In 2011, the Texas House of Representatives signed a resolution recognizing Maestro Huff’s distinguished musical service.
Tickets are on sale now for Masterworks I: Apotheosis of the Dance at millikin.universitytickets.com. Discounts for seniors, children and Veterans are available by calling the Kirkland Fine Arts Center Box Office at 217-424-6318. Accommodations are also available.
