The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra provides symphonic music at the highest degree of excellence through performance opportunities for regional musicians and educational programs for our community’s youth. First organized in 1971, the Wilmington Symphony has established a unique artistic profile and has grown to become an esteemed civic partner and resource for the Cape Fear Region providing value in cultural arts and entertainment, music education, economic development, identity and image, pride and prestige. Each year the Wilmington Symphony performs a series of concerts that include a Masterworks Series, Symphony Pops! and Family Matinees. Other special concerts such as “Patriotic Pops - A Salute to Veterans,” for example, are part of ongoing efforts toward diversifying concert offerings and broadening audience base. The Wilmington Symphony also remains committed to youth outreach as an organizational priority. The Orchestra’s unique and unduplicated youth programs – including a regional Youth Orchestra for 9th-12th graders, a Junior Strings program for 6th-8th graders, Young Artists Concerto Competition with three age divisions, and Free Family Concert – create life-long learning opportunities and broaden the accessibility of symphonic music to young people as performers and participants. Wilmington Symphony youth education and outreach programs develop creativity, innovation, imagination, critical-thinking, collaboration, presentation skills, and leadership.