Dr. David Ott is an internationally recognized composer and conductor whose impressive works have been performed and recorded by some of the most notable orchestras in the United States and Europe. In 2003, he was awarded the prestigious Music Alive Award, co-sponsored by the American Symphony Orchestra League and Meet the Composer. David Ott held the appointment of Pace Eminent Scholar and Composer in Residence at the University of West Florida. From 1999-2001, he conducted the Northwest Florida Symphony and from 2001-2008, was the conductor of the Philharmonic of Northwest Florida. His guest conducting experiences include the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Ott is the author of the book Incidental Music, as well as the composer of works such as Preludes to Piano, Symphony No. 2, and First Trip to the Symphony.