A report Sunday (4/27) on the KTBS.com site (Shreveport, Louisiana) states, “Violinist and concertmaster Kermit Poling is retiring from his position with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. He’s leaving just as the orchestra is healing from strikes and other issues, but that doesn’t mean Poling is going to disappear. ‘Really, I’m just getting rid of one hat,’ Poling said. ‘I’m leaving the post of concertmaster of the symphony, but I’m still going to be here in town conducting and composing.’ [Poling] says the orchestra is something to be cherished and an important part of our community. However, we came close to losing it. … The orchestra, [Executive Director Lois Robinson] says, is still recovering from the musicians’ strike. ‘I think it’s fair to say we’re still in rebuilding mode, in many ways, organizationally,’ Robinson said. … Kermit Poling’s last performance was last night at River View Hall. The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra is made up of a number of brilliant musicians from around the Ark-La-Tex and Dallas. If you want to see them in action, their next performance will be on Saturday with the River City Repertory Theater’s Overtures and Ovations.”
Posted April 30, 2012
