Shreveport Symphony Orchestra

The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra is based in Shreveport, the seat of Caddo Parish and the largest city in north Louisiana. The RiverView Theater continues to be the main venue for the SSO. Founded in 1948, the symphony remains the longest continually performing professional orchestra in Louisiana.The SSO belongs to the Louisiana Association of Symphony Orchestras which was formed in August, 2003. LASO consists of all seven professional orchestras in Louisiana. The mission of the LASO is to promote and facilitate the interchange of ideas, advocate for the support of orchestras in the State, and coordinate collaborative projects in music education and other areas of mutual interest.HistoryEarly years to 2003Since its founding in 1948, the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra has become Louisiana’s oldest continually operating professional orchestra and one of the most respected regional orchestras in the United States. Presenting more than 200 concerts each season, over half of which are free educational events, the orchestra performs music of various genres, including classical and popular.The SSO was formed by a handful of interested local citizens with founding Music Director, John Shenaut and it experienced tremendous growth until his retirement in 1981. After three years under Principal Conductor Paul Strauss followed by Interim Music Director Marjorie Deutsch, the SSO selected Peter Leonard as its second Music Director and Conductor in 1984, who remained with the Shreveport Symphony until 1996. Dennis Simons was selected as the SSO’s third Music Director and served from 1996 until 2003.