Worcester Symphony Orchestra

Our vision: Connecting New England with Great Music

Our mission: The Worcester Symphony Orchestra enriches and inspires lives through music, community engagement, and education, while maintaining financial stability.

The Worcester Symphony Orchestra (WSO), formerly the New England Symphony Orchestra, has served Central Massachusetts for more than 47 years, providing programs for the education, enrichment and pleasure of the citizens and musicians of the region. The orchestra is an independent cultural organization committed to enhancing the quality of life in our communities.

The WSO founded in 1974 in South Lancaster by Dr. Jon Robertson as the Thayer Conservatory Orchestra. From its inception as a community orchestra, the now newly named WSO has provided professional, as well as a community volunteer and student musicians, the opportunity to perform in a quality full-size symphony orchestra in New England. The WSO has maintained its core mission to "sustain and develop a symphony orchestra of the highest quality for the education, enrichment and pleasure of the citizens and musicians of Central Massachusetts and beyond."

This performing arts institution is an independent, non-profit cultural organization that does not receive major support from any one source. The WSO is a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing the best that our many communities have to offer. The WSO includes the Friends of the New England Symphony, who augment our fund-raising activities and assist our professional staff.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council recognized the Worcester Symphony Orchestra as a leader in enriching the cultural life of the Commonwealth. The WSO was one of only twenty-nine organizations awarded this special recognition and is one of only eight to receive this distinction two years in a row. This has proudly provided cultural enrichment to this region for over 47 years. As we celebrate our forty-eighth season, our commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve only grows stronger.