Shreveport Symphony Orchestra

What Shreveport Symphony Orchestra does

The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional symphony orchestra founded in 1948 in Shreveport, Louisiana, currently operating in its 77th season (2025-2026). It is Louisiana's oldest continually operating professional orchestra and performs classical and contemporary symphonic repertoire under Music Director Michael Butterman (appointed 2005) at RiverView Theatre, which features a recently upgraded acoustical shell. The organization's core offering is a Signature Series of subscription concerts, supplemented by a Noel Foundation Chamber Music Series, a Family Concert Series, and a Library Concert Series. Beyond ticketed concerts, SSO operates a layered educational program (SSO on the GO school visits, Music Mentors coaching, Student Discovery Concerts, and the Carnegie Hall Link Up partnership serving ~1,200 students per concert), crossover and film-to-live events (Nosferatu with Robinson Film Center, Sci-Fi Film Favorites), and private event musician rentals. SSO is governed by a Board of Directors and led as of April 2026 by CEO Todd Simmons.

The organization's revenue mechanics span multiple streams: single-ticket sales and season subscriptions (offering 50% off single-ticket prices for new subscribers) via the CueBox direct-to-consumer platform; a Forte membership subscription program with monthly tiers at $25 (4 flex tickets, 15% discount) and $40 (8 flex tickets, 25% discount, 4 guest passes); donations and contributed income through The Shenaut Society and a $1,500+ donor tier; corporate sponsorships anchored by Willis-Knighton Health System as season sponsor for the Masterworks Series, with Noel Foundation underwriting the Chamber Music Series and additional chamber, concert, and community partners; The Tune Up pre-concert social experience ($25 or included for Forte/high-tier donors, with catering from Fatty Arbuckle's and Music to Your Mouth); and private event fees for individual musicians and ensembles. Distribution is regional, concentrated in the Shreveport-Bossier market with outreach into schools, libraries, parks, and breweries, supported by local earned media coverage (KTBS, KTAL, Red River Radio, KSLA, Bossier Press-Tribune) and owned channels (website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, email).

Name

Shreveport Symphony Orchestra

Legal name

Shreveport Symphony Orchestra

Website

https://shreveportsymphony.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional orchestra founded in 1948 in Shreveport, Louisiana, performing classical and contemporary symphonic concerts at RiverView Theatre, supplemented by educational programs, community outreach, and private event musician rentals for the Shreveport-Bossier region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Symphony Orchestra / Live Performing Arts

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Concert Venue Operators (Arenas, Amphitheaters, Clubs) (MPAGAAAC), Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)

Keywords

• Symphonic concerts
• Live orchestral performances
• Music education programs
• Community chamber music
• Private event musicians

Headquarters

HQ city

Shreveport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Concert Tickets: Revenue from single ticket sales and season subscriptions for Signature Series concerts at RiverView Theatre. Subscriptions offer 50% off single ticket prices for new subscribers.
2. Forte Membership Program: Monthly membership program offering flex tickets and discounts. Forte tier at $25/month provides 4 flex tickets and 15% off additional tickets. Fortissimo tier at $40/month provides 8 flex tickets and 25% off additional tickets.
3. Donations and Contributions: The SSO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donor support. Various giving levels exist including The Shenaut Society and Forte membership for donors of $1,500+ who receive access to The Tune Up pre-concert events.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Season sponsors, chamber series sponsors, presenting underwriters, concert sponsors, and community partners provide financial and promotional support.
5. Private Event Rentals: Musicians available for hire for private events including weddings, corporate functions, and parties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra performs live symphonic concerts at RiverView Theatre featuring classical and contemporary repertoire under Music Director Michael Butterman. Beyond its Signature Series concerts, it delivers student and youth education programs (Link Up with Carnegie Hall, SSO on the GO, Music Mentors, Student Discovery Concerts), free community programming (Family, Library, and Noel Foundation Chamber Music Series), monthly Forte memberships, season subscriptions, and private-event musician hire services.

Product overview

The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra operates as a single unified performing arts organization offering live symphonic concerts as its core product, supplemented by educational outreach programs (SSO on the GO, Music Mentors, Student Discovery Concerts), free community programming (Family Concert Series, Library Concert Series, Noel Foundation Chamber Music Series), and a flexible membership program (FORTE). The organization also offers private event musician rental services and pre-concert social experiences (The Tune Up). No platform-plus-modules architecture exists; instead, the SSO provides distinct service offerings organized by audience segment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Forte: A flexible membership program offering flex tickets to Signature Series concerts, discounts, access to pre-concert events, and exclusive social experiences.
• The Shenaut Society

Products and services

• Symphonic Concerts (Signature Series) Live orchestral performances featuring classical and contemporary repertoire performed by professional musicians under Music Director Michael Butterman at RiverView Theatre; targeted at general audiences in the Shreveport-Bossier region.
• Season Subscriptions

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Carnegie Hall's Weill Music InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSO partners with Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute for the Link Up program, an interactive concert experience for students in grades 3-5. Students learn to sing and play instruments in the classroom before performing with the orchestra from their seats at the concert.
• Sci-Port Discovery CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Student Discovery Concerts presenting educational programming like Holst's The Planets with interactive elements.
• Robinson Film CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Nosferatu Live to Film event combining silent film screening with live orchestral score.
• Shreveport Regional Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for outdoor concerts including Spooky Symphony at Caddo Common Park with family activities and food vendors.
• Willis-Knighton Health SystemflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason Sponsor for the Willis-Knighton Masterworks Series, the flagship concert series.
• Fatty Arbuckle'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCatering partner providing refreshments, wine, beer, and spirits at concerts. Open bar provider for The Tune Up pre-concert events.
• Music to Your MouthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood truck vendor providing light bites at The Tune Up pre-concert events.
• NSU, Centenary College, Prisma, SBC Chorale, ETBUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombined choirs from multiple regional universities and organizations participating in major performances like Verdi Requiem.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Top-tier U.S. regional orchestra with full classical/pops/education programming, donor-supported 501(c)(3) model, and Carnegie Hall-affiliated education initiatives comparable to SSO's Link Up partnership.
• Dallas Symphony Orchestra: Large metropolitan professional orchestra with broad classical/pops/film programming and extensive education outreach. Comparable programming pillars to SSO at substantially larger scale.
• Houston Symphony: Major metropolitan orchestra serving a much larger market. While significantly bigger than SSO, it operates similar programming pillars (Signature Series, education, corporate sponsorship) at a larger scale and represents the upper-bound benchmark for SSO's ambitions.
• Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Major Texas regional professional orchestra with signature classical series, pops, education programs, and donor-supported nonprofit model — all directly comparable programming units to SSO at a larger scale.
• Nashville Symphony: Major regional professional orchestra with broad programming including film scores and pops, comparable education/community engagement, and 501(c)(3) donor-funded structure.

Regional players

• Mississippi Symphony Orchestra: Regional professional orchestra operating across Mississippi with similar scale, mixed classical/pops programming, and education outreach. Comparable Gulf South regional orchestra peer.
• Arkansas Symphony Orchestra: Regional professional orchestra serving Little Rock and central Arkansas with comparable scale, educational programming (Link Up participation), and 501(c)(3) donor-supported business model.
• Pensacola Symphony Orchestra: Gulf Coast regional orchestra of similar size and budget scale, with comparable classical/pops programming, subscription model, and education programs.

Direct peers

• Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra: The only other professional orchestra in Louisiana, based in New Orleans. Same state, same core business (live orchestral performances, education programs, donor-funded 501(c)(3) model), and directly comparable in scale and audience development strategy.
• Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra: Louisiana's other major regional professional orchestra, also performing classical and pops programming, education outreach, and operating on a donor/subscription model. Direct in-state comparable for SSO.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/shreveportsymphony
• Facebookfacebook.com/shreveportsymphony
• Instagraminstagram.com/shreveportsymphony
• Xx.com/shrevesymph
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shreveport-symphony-orchestra

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shreveport Symphony Orchestra