Milton Katims, born on June 24, 1909, in Brooklyn, New York, was an American violist and conductor. His parents were immigrants from Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Initially a violinist, he switched to viola under the guidance of Léon Barzin. Katims played with various chamber music ensembles, including the New York Piano Quartet and the Budapest String Quartet, with whom he made six recordings starting in 1941. He joined the NBC Symphony Orchestra in 1943, becoming Arturo Toscanini's assistant. From 1954 to 1976, Katims served as music director of the Seattle Symphony, expanding its repertoire and outreach programs. He also taught at institutions like Juilliard and Northwestern University, and was artistic director of the University of Houston School of Music from 1976 to 1985. Katims died on February 27, 2006, in Shoreline, Washington.