Where Music Brings Us Together: The Heart of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra

When the first note fills the Kuss Auditorium or the John Legend Theater, something magical happens. You can feel it in the air — the shared excitement, the pride, and the connection that only live music can create.

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra isn’t just a concert series. It’s a celebration of creativity, learning, and community. For more than 82 years, it has brought people together through sound and story, giving everyone a reason to be proud of what’s happening right here in Springfield.

Music has a way of bringing people together, and here in Springfield, there’s a place for every listener, learner, and lover of the arts. Join us by attending a concert, supporting our youth programs, or volunteering at one of the venues below. Together, we keep the music playing.

The Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1943 by Edwin Juergens, William Minnick, and William Fiedler, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra began performing at Memorial Hall before finding its current home at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.

The orchestra is made up of about 75 incredibly talented musicians (per concert) led by Music Director and Conductor Peter Stafford Wilson. Since 2002, Peter has guided the orchestra with creativity and care, introducing fresh ideas and community collaborations. Under his direction, audiences have enjoyed unforgettable performances like The Planets with Wittenberg University and American Made: Celebrating Our Manufacturing Heritage.

Peter also helps bring music to young listeners through the Concerts for Young People and other local programs, showing that music is something we can all enjoy and learn from.

The Springfield Symphony Jazz Orchestra

If you love rhythm, swing, and a little bit of soul, the Springfield Symphony Jazz Orchestra (SSJO) will quickly become a favorite. Led by Todd Stoll, an internationally recognized educator and performer, the SSJO brings the heart of jazz to Springfield.

Todd also serves as Vice President of Education at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, and his passion for jazz shines through every performance. Each concert captures the energy of the Jazz Age and celebrates the artists who defined it.

This season’s Roaring ’20s concert, featuring Grammy-winning vocalist Catherine Russell, will fill the John Legend Theater with the timeless sounds of Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, and Louis Armstrong.

Youth Programs

The Springfield Youth Ensembles are where the future of music begins. Since 1950, the Concerts for Young People have introduced thousands of students to symphonic music, sparking lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Today, the Springfield Youth Ensembles bring that same inspiration to young musicians across the region. Programs include:

• Springfield Youth Symphony (SYS): Advanced high school musicians performing in a full orchestra.

• Springfield Youth Chamber Orchestra (SYCO): Students building ensemble and teamwork skills.

• Springfield Youth String Ensemble (SYSE): A welcoming first step for beginning string players.

• Springfield Youth Choir (SYC): Singers in grades 5–10 learning the joy of music together.

• Springfield Children’s Choir (SCC): Young voices in grades 3 and up finding confidence through song.

  
  

Every Monday evening, the John Legend Theater comes alive with these rehearsals, laughter, and the promise of tomorrow’s performers. The music doesn’t stop when the school year ends. Each summer, the Springfield Youth Orchestras and Choirs also host a week-long retreat where students can make music, make friends, and perform!

How to Support Us

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra thrives because of community support. Each year, we host two major fundraising events that help keep the music playing for both our professional orchestra and our youth programs.

Grapes & Escapes takes place in February and supports all areas of the Symphony. Guests enjoy an evening of fine wines, great food, and lively entertainment while raising funds that help sustain concerts and community outreach throughout the season.

Flavors is held in June and supports the Springfield Youth Ensembles. This beloved summer tradition features local restaurants, a silent auction, and live performances by our youth musicians. It’s a true celebration of local talent, food, and the people who make the arts possible in Springfield.

These events bring together music lovers, families, and supporters who believe in the power of the arts to connect and inspire.

Follow us on the Springfield Symphony Facebook or Instagram for the next Flavors Fundraiser and Summer Camp dates — and be the first to know when registration opens!

Our Venues

Clark State Performing Arts Center

Home to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, the Clark State Performing Arts Center features the 1,490-seat Kuss Auditorium — one of the finest concert halls in Ohio. The acoustics are breathtaking, the design is elegant, and every performance feels like something special.

John Legend Theater

The John Legend Theater, home to the Jazz Orchestra and Youth Programs, sits inside the Springfield Center of Innovation: The Dome. With 680 seats and a remarkable community story, this space represents creativity, collaboration, and local pride. Opened in 2016 and supported by Springfield native John Legend, it continues to open doors for youth and families to experience the arts.

Why Supporting the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Matters

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is one of the most treasured parts of Springfield, Ohio’s cultural community. It’s a place where families, friends, and neighbors come together to celebrate the arts, connect through live performance, and experience something truly special.

You don’t have to travel to Dayton or Columbus, Ohio to experience world-class music and performance. The magic is right here at home — in the heart of Springfield. From breathtaking symphonies to vibrant jazz concerts, everything you love about live music is happening just a few miles away.

Be part of it. Join us for a concert. Enroll your child in a youth program. Attend our summer events. Volunteer, donate, or share the music with someone new.

When you support the Symphony, you’re helping the arts grow — right here in our community.

Click to see what shows are coming up next!