Thank you to the musicians of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra for bringing music into our lives to replenish our souls and take us away from the demands of life for a couple of hours at each concert. Time has become such an issue with all of us, that we sometimes miss the right motivation we need to relax and enjoy music, which is a part of all our lives. Being a member of the Symphony audience is truly an answer to this need. Living in a diverse and changing world has made us all realize that Symphony music is not just for grand dames. It is so important that everyone in this community know that they can be a part of the Shreveport Symphony. Since it is the pivotal arts organization in our city, the Shreveport Symphony Guild, Inc. is very proud to promote and support all Symphony endeavors.
     Forty-seven years ago, a group of dedicated women, with an enthusiastic Maestro, formed the Women's Guild of the Shreveport Symphony Society. According to minutes of a meeting in 1955, the Guild's motives were to establish…"an insight into the needs of our fine symphony orchestra and the desire to cooperate with faith and vision for personal and Community development…" With only a few members, a chairman and co-chairman, this organization became the roots of what is known today as Shreveport Symphony Guild, Inc. with a membership of over five hundred, a full board and executive board. This Guild in 2003 still strives for the original vision of the Guild in keeping symphonic music in the heart of the community. We actively do this through our continued support of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, the ArkLaTex Youth Orchestra and the Nena Plant Wideman Piano Competition. Through our fund-raisers, mainly the Symphony Shoppers Card, we are able to give that support. The Encore Shops on Woodlawn Avenue located in the Centenary College campus, allows us continued support of the ArkLaTex Youth Orchestra, and has been a major source of income for the Symphony and the Guild. These shops are also rooted in a history of dedicated women who have served faithfully.
     The pride and joy of the Symphony Guild is Symphony House located at 2803 Woodlawn Ave. Two years ago, the Symphony donated the house back to the Guild. This historic landmark - which was the first home in Shreveport to be placed on the National Historic register of homes - still serves as a meeting place for the Symphony Board, the Guild, and the Ark-La-Tex Youth Symphony, and is also used extensively for receptions by Centenary College and the Symphony. Symphony House is also available for rental for private parties and receptions. The walls of the house, built in 1872, still resonate with happy memories. This year, through a "restoration fund drive," the Guild was able to give the house a facelift by painting the outside and having a new roof put on. We are grateful to the women of the Guild in 1955 that saw the potential in this old home to buy, restore, and preserve it through the years.
     You are invited to become a member of the Shreveport Symphony Guild. Membership is open to anyone interested in all areas of music and in continuing the entities of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. Volunteer work can be truly rewarding. The rule of thumb here is "the more we offer ourselves to a cause we believe in, the more we shall receive in return. Music is a vital part of our lives, and we cannot afford to let it slip through our fingers. It has proven to lift the spirit.
     It is with pride that I serve as President of the Shreveport Symphony Guild and to be a part of this historic organization which in preserving the past, meets the criteria in today's world to advance the cause of music.