Since its founding in 1948, the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has become Louisiana ’s oldest continually operating professional orchestra and one of the most respected regional orchestras in the United States. The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra’s mission is: To Embrace – to embrace the community we serve and to be embraced by the same community; to broaden the level of supporters and their involvement with the orchestra; to work across the region with various arts organizations through cooperation and partnerships. To Enlighten – to educate; to enlighten the senses beyond the norm. To Experience – to provide the unique aesthetic experiences of live orchestral music; to give depth and enriching life; to connect people through music; to foster cultural diversity. To Excel – to foster artistic, organizational, and financial excellence.