San Diego Symphony performed its first concert on December 6, 1910. In the 97 years since its inception, San Diego Symphony has become one of the leading orchestras in the United States. It is committed to providing musical experiences of superior quality for the greater San Diego community and beyond. Through a rich mixture of innovative and educational programming designed to appeal to all ages and cultures, the Symphony makes music an integral part of the cultural and intellectual fabric of the San Diego region, valued by and relevant to all its residents.
The Symphony offers wide range of concert experiences and performs over 100 concerts each season. In 2008 the Symphony performed with Pinchas Zukerman, Frank Sinatra Jr., Mary Wilson, Lang Lang, The Romeros, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and San Diego Master Chorale. San Diego Symphony performances include the Masterworks series, offering traditional classical repertoire and featuring such guest artists as Yefim Bronfman, Joshua Bell, Jon Kimura Parker and Kathleen Battle; the Winter Pops series, featuring popular guest artists such as Michael Feinstein, Jennifer Holliday, Ben Vereen, Robert Klein and Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch as well as annual holiday programs; a Family Festival series that presents family-friendly concerts; and Symphony Exposed, a fascinating series of concerts examining closely great works of classical music from entertaining and thought-provoking angles, hosted by Nuvi Mehta. Each year, from July through September, the Symphony presents an outdoor Summer Pops season at Embarcadero Marina Park South. Summer Pops mixes classical favorites and pop music in a festive, outdoor atmosphere on San Diego’s picturesque waterfront.