Kermit Poling
General ManagerThe 2019 silver medal winner of the International Global Music Award, Kermit Poling is Music Director of both the South Arkansas Symphony, the Marshall Symphony Orchestra, the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet, the Associate Conductor of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra as well as General Manager of the Red River Radio Network.
Also a composer, Poling's ballets have been performed throughout the country. In 2017, Poling made his debut with the London Symphony Orchestra for an album of his music. In 2019, Pennsylvania Ballet and Ballet Des Moines premiere his most recent works. He has created orchestral arrangements for a wide range of artists, including Grammy winning guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd and blues singer Irma Thomas. He has also scored several films, including the original silent feature Tarzan.
Poling received the Outstanding Artist in Music Fellowship in 2000 from the State of Louisiana and twice received a Music Fellowship from the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. His awards include scholarships to the Boston Conservatory of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Tanglewood Music Center, where he studied with Leonard Bernstein, Kurt Masur, Gustav Meier and Seiji Ozawa. In 2005, Maestro Poling served as one of three international judges for China’s National Young Artists Competition with the China National Symphony in Beijing. He has received numerous commissions to create new scores for theatrical works, including The Glass Menagerie, Memoirs, Elektra and others. In 1998 he was chosen by Emmy award winning artist William Joyce to compose the music for his stage adaptation of The Leafmen and the Brave Good Bugs.
Maestro Poling has been a featured conductor on NPR's Performance Today, the Arkansas Educational Television Network, the Red River Radio Network, WGBH Boston and has appeared as violinist on Louisiana Public Television and PBS in addition to numerous television and radio stations throughout the country. Centaur Records released a CD of his newest Christmas arrangements performed by the West Edge String Quartet. Away from the podium, Poling also serves as organist and choral director at St. George's Episcopal Church in Bossier City.
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Airs Friday, February 14, 2020, at 11 a.m. Kermit Poling spoke with Frank King, the cardiac comedian who will be featured at the Medical Center of South…
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Airs Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 11 a.m. Kermit Poling spoke with Isac, Pablo, Ty, and Clare, all cast members from Up With People about their…
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Airs Monday, September 23, 2019, at 11 a.m. Kermit Poling spoke with Colbie Caillat, Justin Kawika Young, Jason Reeves, and Nelly Joy who make up the band…
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Airs Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at 11 a.m. Kermit Poling spoke with Beth Brumley, Executive Director of Mainstreet El Dorado, about the El Dorado…
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Airs Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at 11 a.m. Kermit Poling spoke with Michael Donnella about the Murphy Arts District's "An Evening With Jazz Masters," on…
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Airs Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at 6 p.m. Neil Johnson, one of Shreveport's favorite artists returns to The Better Picture for another hour of fun,…
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Airs Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at 11 a.m. Kermit Poling spoke with Tiffany Ammerman about Voices: The Heartland Concert presented by the Marshall Symphony…
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Airs Friday, May 31, 2019, at 12 noon. Shreveport Opera presents Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly with Eleni Calenos as Cio-Cio San and Matthew Vickers…
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Airs Friday, April 19, 2019, at 12 noon This past Sunday conductor Michael Butterman lead the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra along with the Centenary…
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Airs Monday, March 18, 2019, at 11 a.m. Steve Aiken joins Kermit Poling as the Shreveport Opera Express presents a wonderful concert in our Marion and…