Progress Report 2023-2024
As the Executive Director for the Southwest Symphony, I am excited and proud to announce the 40th Anniversary of the organization. Beginning in 1984 with live orchestra and choral performances, they have added more concerts to their lineup, introduced the Tour of Schools and Youth Series, enhanced programming with a Cultural Arts Series, and have now grown into one of the leading resources for live, classical and cultural arts entertainment in Lea County.
With annual community and corporate support, Southwest Symphony will continue to offer the best programming available each season to its audience. It will also provide the annual Youth Series to elementary students at no cost, thereby supplementing music programs for both public and private schools. With coordinated efforts from Lea County schools, the 2024 Youth Series served over 2,300 students throughout Lea County, over a two-day period, with their performance of “Instruments at Play”.
It would not be possible to do all we do here at Southwest Symphony without the amazing staff and Board of Directors. Staff includes Christy Hepp, Office Coordinator and Youth Series Coordinator, Cindy Walker, Concert Manager and Leanne Isselhard Salgado, Executive Director. Our Board of Directors are Pres. Dan Bryan, V.P. James Lackey, Sec. Mona Mroz, Treas. Jimmy Waechter, and Directors Shannon Bush, Kay Hannum, Dan Heister, Ann Lynn McIlroy, and Don Williams. The efforts of the staff to pull together everything needed for the concerts to run smoothly, and the volunteer time put in by our directors is always appreciated.
The commitment of many people throughout the years have made this Anniversary possible. Longtime Executive Director (2008-2017) Geni Cavanaugh says “As the past executive director of Southwest Symphony, alongside our original board members, the journey with Artistic director, Dr. Mark Jelinek, and Orchestra Manager Cindy Walker was a great experience for me from the start and a testament of collaboration and dedication from a small organization can do mighty things. They, along with the late Joe and Joyce Walker, came along side me and I would not be where I am today without recognizing their friendship and investment. It was an honor to represent the organization in Lea County, where every concert played echoed our commitment to excellence, and brought new acts and genres of music to Hobbs for performances. Being deeply involved in the vibrant arts community of New Mexico is not just a privilege, but a responsibility the organization still embraces wholeheartedly after 40 years. I wish SWS another 40 years of great performances, illuminating the richness of symphonic music in our state and throughout the Southwest, leaving a legacy of harmony and inspiration for generations to come. I’m so grateful to SWS for letting me be part of their story."
Big things are coming for Southwest Symphony in the 2024-2025 season. Programming is underway and our audience can look forward to seeing some of their most loved performances returning for a season of “Favorites”. The programming committee has taken the time to look back at the Cultural Arts Series groups that have performed and chosen four of the most talked about to pursue for a return engagement. There will also be three amazing Southwest Symphony concerts including the Youth Series.
An even bigger announcement is that the Southwest Symphony organization will be changing its name to Encore Entertainment! All the amazing growth that has happened since its inception in 1984 has culminated in an essential name change that more accurately reflects our organization’s broad and unique offerings. Southwest Symphony has expanded beyond its original basis of the classical genre. Even the Southwest Symphony Orchestra itself plays much more than classical music. With the addition of pops and more modern music to their repertoire and the Cultural Arts Series of performances, the Southwest Symphony Board of Directors and Staff agree that the time has come for a new name that encompasses all of what the organization has to offer. The Southwest Symphony will continue to be an integral part of our programming with three concerts each season.
The Southwest Symphony considers all of Lea County as our community partners. Great communities are created when all aspects of the performing arts are seen as a priceless component in the overall quality of life. We are working hard to keep New Mexico entertainment dollars in our state. As a non-profit organization, it is only because of generous support through concert sponsorships and donations from area businesses, and ticket sales that we will be able to continue our efforts in the future. Financial contributions from our loyal patrons are crucial now more than ever to continue performances and youth series programs in Lea County. Donations can be made through our website at www.swsymphony.org or sent to PO Box 101, Hobbs, NM 88241.