The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra: continuing a 130 year legacy of symphonic music in Ottawa

The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO) traces its roots back 130 years to December 1894, when the city’s first home grown symphonic orchestra, featuring some 80 musicians, staged its first concert. That orchestra set the standard for excellence in large orchestral and symphonic music, which continues today with the professional members of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra.

During the collapse of a number of civic orchestras across Canada and the United States in recent years, the OSO faces similar financial challenges in 2023/24, while also struggling to attract audiences back to the concert hall during this COVID pandemic era.

OSO has always found relevancy in the excellence of its music, and by the support of our community. Thank you for supporting the OSO.