About the Macon Symphony Orchestra

The Macon Symphony Orchestra is a cultural treasure that touches the lives of thousands of people through its live concerts and radio broadcasts of great orchestral repertoire. Since its inception in 1976 it has continued to strive for artistic excellence in programming and performances and has been at the forefront of American orchestras in its commitment to American music and artists.

Each season the orchestra performs a wide variety of subscription, pops, family, young people's, special and tour concers as well as its appearances on television and performances on Georgia Public Radio. The 2000-2001 season marked the debut of the Macon Sinfonia. All the orchestra's young people's concerts are free as is the annual Porter Picnic Pops. In addition, the orchestra sponsors an annual Concerto Competition, Artists in the Classroom Project, String Development Scholarships and with Mercer University, the Mercer/Macon Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The Macon Symphony Orchestra serves the Middle Georgia area with a Metro population of 320,000. It receives support from NEA, Georgia Council for the Arts, Macon Arts, City of Macon and other grants, sponsorships, ticket sales and special fund-raising events.

The Macon Symphony Orchestra has performed a number of benefit and special concerts with Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, violinist Robert McDuffie and Heldenbaritone Allan Evans. The latter two are Macon born.