The violinist, violist, and conductor Philoktitis Economidis (1889–1957) began teaching music theory at the Athens Conservatoire immediately after his graduation in 1910, offering his services to the institution for 47 years. In 1920, he founded the Athens Choir; from 1930 to 1939, he served as director of the Conservatoire and led its Symphony Orchestra. Following its transformation in 1942 into the Athens State Orchestra, he continued as its conductor until 1957. The bust located in the atrium of the Athens Conservatoire was sculpted in 1962 by Theodoros Vasileiou (1917–1993).