Dear Friends,
Classic…
We use the word to describe something of quality; something timeless. We think of things that elevate the spirit, enrich the mind and touch the heart. We think of great art, literature and music. And when you think of great music in our community, I hope that you, as I do, think of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.
What a thrill it has been to perform for you this past season. From start to finish, our orchestra gave its all and you responded—in record numbers! Adding 300 first-time, brand-new members to our already-large family of subscribers says a great deal about our bond with the community. Those numbers tell us not only that the arts are alive in Shreveport-Bossier, but that they are growing in appeal and relevance.
On the heels of this exciting trend, we are pleased to share with you the SSO’s 2011-2012 season: Simply Classic.
Our 64th classic season includes masterworks like Tchaikovsky’s Fourth, Brahms’s Second and Beethoven’s Seventh. We’ll welcome world-class guest artists like cellist Zuill Bailey, and pianists Norman Krieger and John O’Conor. Our springtime trio of Piano Celebration concerts also includes the finals of the Wideman Piano Competition—back by popular demand. And in April, we’ll feature our own musicians as we honor Kermit Poling’s retirement as concertmaster and present a percussion concerto that simply must be heard (and seen) to be believed.
Our classics entertain as well as edify. Our Holiday Pops concert is a well-loved tradition that will feature the Holiday Pops Children’s Chorus. We’ll also welcome back the incredible Cirque de la Symphonie, uniting classic scores with the magic of “cirque.” Both of these concerts sold out well ahead of time in past seasons. In anticipation of similar enthusiasm this year, we are pleased to offer both Saturday evening and Sunday matinee performances of these two programs.
I know that you will want to be with us for every moment of our thrilling 2011-2012 season. It’s all yours, right here in Shreveport-Bossier. Your music. Your orchestra. Make “symphony night” a part of your life this year.
The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra and you—Simply Classic.
Sincerely,
Michael Butterman
Music Director