Comments on: Mission Accomplished?

By: Drew McManus

Drew McManus — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:03:16 +0000

My mistake Peter, I meant to say “it satisfies” not “fails to satisfy” – thanks for pointing out the error.

By: Susan R

Susan R — Thu, 28 May 2009 03:44:05 +0000

Thanks, Terry N. My observation as well. The opera and ballet musicians were contracted by one of our own musicians to play all these performances and the musicians have given two free concerts to the public this season, the second one a few weeks ago with the ALTYSO (ArkLaTx Youth Symphony Orchestra) as a commitment to the students we mentor. NO educational concerts in the schools have been played in two years, yet all of the above are still listed on the SS(O) website. It is definitely time for them to take a good look at what it is they are trying to accomplish here in the community and redesign their websitesite and their Mission. From our picket/info lines at the three concerts they presented in April and May, we observed a much smaller crowd than normally would have attended one of our orchestra concerts, less than half, in fact. We are all staying busy with other musical activities at present. The stalemate continues.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 28 May 2009 03:27:28 +0000

Wait a minute Drew. It says,”without limiting the generality of the foregoing, particularly to organize a Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.” I think “particularly” speaks volumes.

By: Drew McManus

Drew McManus — Thu, 28 May 2009 02:58:59 +0000

That’s intriguing Terry, thanks. I haven’t seen the articles of incorporation firsthand but if that’s accurate then that certainly challenges the notion that recent concert event activity ~~fails to satisfy~~ satisfies the purpose for incorporation.

By: Terry N

Terry N — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:41:43 +0000

Their Articles of Incorporation state: “The purposes for which this corporation is formed are as follows: Generally, to further education in and appreciation of music, dancing, opera and allied fine arts and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, particularly to organize a Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, give public performances of programs of music, singing, dancing, opera and allied fine arts, and to organize an educational program designed to interest and instruct the public in music, singing, dancing, opera and allied fine arts.”

I would say they have abandoned their purpose and need to form a new corporation and reapply for tax exemption, since there is no longer an orchestra nor an educational program.

By: Susan R

Susan R — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:57:57 +0000

Thank you for your comments,Drew. The musicians have indeed been on strike since Oct. 2008 and haven’t played for the Shreveport Symphony since May 2008. The lack of educational and outreach concerts concerns all of us deeply. I was with the orchestra for 40 plus years, graduating from college scholarship student to full time contract player. I also served as personnel manager for 32 years. We are all staying busy with other musical activities and still hope for a resolution to the stalemate. An orchestra is NOT an orchestra without the musicians and there are no musicians now in the Shreveport Symphony (Orchestra).