KSLA News 12 Guest Editorial: June 23rd-Shreveport Symphony Orchestra

When my family and I moved to the ArkLaTex eight years ago, we knew we'd be surrounded by some of the friendliest and most welcoming people anywhere in the country.

But what we didn't fully appreciate, until we'd been here for a little while, was how much our quality of life would be enhanced by the incredible depth of our region's cultural community.

I'm especially proud of the contributions made by the Shreveport Symphony, which is committed to reflecting and embracing our community by presenting a broad range of performances to suit just about every taste. We also collaborate with partner organizations like the opera, ballet, Robinson Film Center and Artspace. And we are committed to working through the schools to help our young people connect with their innate creativity, helping them not only to appreciate the arts, but to develop skills essential to success in the innovation economy.

The new three-year agreement being entered into by the symphony's board and musicians reflects a unified vision and sense of purpose. It's a vision in which the symphony plays an ever-more vibrant and central role in our community's cultural life. I invite you to join thousands of your neighbors and friends in supporting this community treasure.

I'm Michael Butterman, music director of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.