Our History
The SSO was formed by a handful of interested local citizens with founding Music Director, John Shenaut, and 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.
An international search for the orchestra’s fourth Music Director began in the summer of 2003 and culminated with five finalists conducting the SSO during the 2004-2005 season. In August 2005, Maestro Michael Butterman was appointed the fourth Music Director in the orchestra’s 64-year history.
Kermit Poling, Associate Conductor and former Concertmaster, served as the Interim Music Director/Resident Conductor during the three-year transition period.
