Who We Are

For over 75 years, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra has been an inspiring voice in our state – through joyous times and times of uncertainty.  Our season of wonderful concerts, state engagements and significant education initiatives is possible only with the generous support from our community, businesses, and individuals.  We ask you to play your part to ensure we can continue to inspire for many more years to come.

MSO started in 1945 as a community orchestra, and has grown to be a genuine cultural powerhouse of nearly 100 musicians and a major symbol of the bright future for the arts across Mississippi.

Great music brings out the best in who we are, as individuals and as a community.  It speaks to beauty, to truth, to our lives.  Each year, the MSO reaches more than 75,000 Mississippians in a dozen communities throughout the state.

In addition to season concerts, MSO reaches some 15,000 students annually.  More than 1,000 school children receive weekly string instruction.  Research has shown that vital skills of reasoning, creativity, decision-making and problem-solving have been linked to musical training.  These programs impact the lives of the students, and the community as a whole, by offering opportunities for growth and success in a format that otherwise may not be available.

Your donation to MSO helps us provide youth orchestras, full orchestra school concerts, summer string camp, college outreach and composer’s forums.  These programs foster youth involvement, and provide school-age and college students the inspiration and opportunity to experience and master the joy of making music.

The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra is passionate about sharing our love for music with Mississippi. With your gifts to MSO, we will continue to bring music to the lives of so many throughout the state.