Shreveport Symphony Orchestra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shreveport Symphony Orchestra (SSO) |
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| Orchestra | |
Shreveport Symphony Orchestra
(2010; Robert E. Trudeau) |
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| Founded | 1948 |
| Location | Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Principal conductor | Michael Butterman |
The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is a professional music group located in Shreveport, Louisiana. Shreveport is a big city in northern Louisiana. They often play their concerts at the RiverView Theater. The SSO started in 1948. It is the oldest professional orchestra that has been playing continuously in Louisiana.
The SSO is part of the Louisiana Association of Symphony Orchestras (LASO). This group started in 2003. LASO includes all seven professional orchestras in Louisiana. Their goal is to share ideas and support orchestras in the state. They also work together on music education and other projects.
Contents
A Look Back: The SSO's Journey
How the Orchestra Began (1948-2003)
The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra began in 1948. It has grown to be one of the most respected orchestras in the United States. Each year, the orchestra performs over 200 concerts. More than half of these are free shows for schools. They play many kinds of music, from classical to popular songs.
A small group of people in Shreveport started the SSO. John Shenaut was their first Music Director. The orchestra grew a lot under his leadership until he retired in 1981. After him, Peter Leonard became the Music Director in 1984. He stayed until 1996. Then, Dennis Simons led the SSO from 1996 to 2003.
During these years, the orchestra became a strong team. They kept growing even when the economy in Shreveport was tough. However, around 2000, the orchestra faced money problems. Musicians worried about their jobs and pay.
Finding a New Leader (2004-2008)
In 2003, the search began for a new Music Director. Five people conducted the SSO during the 2004-2005 season. In August 2005, Michael Butterman was chosen as the fourth Music Director. Before joining the SSO, he worked with other orchestras. He was also named Music Director of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra in 2007.
During this time, Kermit Poling helped lead the SSO. He had been the orchestra's Concertmaster for over 20 years.
In the 2005-2006 season, the orchestra played many concerts. They had Master Series concerts with famous soloists. They also had Spotlight concerts that featured SSO musicians. The SSO performed "Informances" (concerts with explanations) in elementary schools. They also gave free "Random Acts of Music" shows. Each spring, they had a free Picnic Pops concert. This show included the Ark-La-Tex Youth Symphony. The annual free People’s Concert featured local singers and choirs. The 2007-2008 season was special because it was the SSO's 60th year. The first concert of that season shared some songs with the very first concert from 1948.
A Difficult Time for the Orchestra (2008-2009)
In October 2008, the musicians of the SSO went on strike. This meant that many concerts for the 2008-2009 season were canceled. Some concerts in the 2009-2010 season were also canceled. Before this, the SSO played over 200 concerts each year. Most of these were free educational events.
The musicians and the orchestra's board had been talking about a new agreement since 2007. The musicians were playing without a contract. The strike happened because they could not agree on pay and job security. This was not the first time the symphony had faced such issues. They had a nine-week strike in 1996-1997.
The 2008-2009 season was officially canceled in January 2009.
- Update: September 24, 2009
Discussions began again between the musicians and a new management team. Everyone hoped to reach an agreement soon. - Update: November 27, 2009
After two years, the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra was back! An agreement was reached. They announced a series of three concerts. This brought live orchestral music back to Shreveport.
A New Start for Concerts (2010-2011)
People in the community were very excited about the new concerts. Because of this, a more lasting agreement was made in July 2010. Soon after, the orchestra announced its full concert schedule for the 2010-2011 season.
As the SSO started its new season in January 2010, they wanted to reach more people. They hoped to get younger audiences from the Shreveport-Bossier City area. They planned new ways to share live music with more people.
Seeing musicians play together live is a special experience. It is different from listening to a recording. A strong Shreveport Symphony Orchestra helps make the Shreveport-Bossier City area more culturally rich. It also inspires local children and teens to explore symphonic music. This includes movie soundtracks, musicals, and even pop music.
The first concert of the 2010 season was a big success. Many people came to the RiverView Theater. This was a good sign for the orchestra's future. The last concert of that short season was on May 15, 2010. Instead of the usual outdoor Picnic Pops concert, the SSO and the Ark-La-Tex Youth Symphony Orchestra (ALTYSO) played a free indoor concert on May 30, 2010. Michael Butterman said, "We're doing much the same thing, but this time indoors." The program included music by famous composers. It also featured music from musicals like "Fiddler on the Roof."
By the end of May 2010, the symphony board was supposed to decide about the 2010-2011 season. They postponed the decision to talk more with the musicians. In July 2010, an agreement was reached. This allowed the symphony to keep playing for at least two more years.
On May 14, 2011, the SSO finished another successful season. They played amazing music by composers like Brahms. A famous violinist, Rachel Barton Pine, performed with them.
During the 2010-2011 season, the SSO gained at least 50 new subscribers. Brian Hebert, the SSO board president, was happy with the orchestra's financial situation. He said it was thanks to the orchestra's changes and the musicians' help.
Welcoming a New Director (2011-2013)
Lois Robinson became the new executive director of the SSO on August 22, 2011. She had worked with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans. She helped that orchestra rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. Robinson said she was impressed by the energy to make the SSO the best it could be. She believed there would be many chances for the orchestra to help the community.
Robinson shared her plans to make the orchestra stronger. She wanted to expand its role in the community. September 24, 2011, marked the start of a new time for the orchestra. Their programs included a guest appearance by a talented cellist, Zuill Bailey.
Robinson took over from Leah Escude. Escude had done a great job helping the orchestra in the 2010-2011 season. She used social media like Facebook and Twitter to connect with the public. She helped the orchestra regain its good name after the difficult strike in 2008.
Working Together (2014-Present)
In June 2014, the SSO musicians and management reached a new agreement. This agreement helps the orchestra continue to grow and succeed. The SSO conductor, Michael Butterman, said the new agreement showed that everyone in the SSO organization shared the same goals.
Who Plays in the Orchestra?
Kermit Poling retired as the concertmaster of the SSO after 27 seasons. He still works as the Associate Conductor for the SSO. He is also the Music Director for the South Arkansas Symphony and the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet.
SSO musicians are part of the Shreveport Federation of Musicians. This group is known as Local 116. In October 2008, during the musicians' strike, the SSO orchestra members formed a group called Orchestra Players United of Shreveport-Bossier (OPUS). With the OPUS Orchestra, they kept performing during the strike. They were supported by CODA. CODA is a non-profit group that helps artists.
Every main SSO concert is broadcast on Red River Radio. This is a public radio network in the region. Kermit Poling hosts a program called Regional Symphony Broadcasts. About 50,000 people listen to it each week. He is also the General Manager and Classical Announcer for Red River Radio.
In 2014, Matt Albert became the new concertmaster of the SSO. He had played with the SSO before as a guest. Albert left the SSO in 2016 for another opportunity.
- Official website of the SSO: Shreveport Symphony Orchestra
Images for kids
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Shreveport Symphony Orchestra (2010; Robert E. Trudeau)
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RiverView Theater in RiverView Park
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