The Atlanta Community Symphony Orhestra (ACSO) was founded by the Atlanta Music Club in 1958. The 80+ member orchestra was designed to offer serious instrumentalists, both professional and non-professional, an opportunity to perform orchestral literature. The orchestra includes a wide spectrum of players: teachers, doctors, lawyers, students, housewives, and business executives from the greater Metropolitan Atlanta area.

In the summer of 1957, Mrs. Charles Chalmers, President of the Atlanta Music Club (1956-1960), asked Mrs. Ruth Dabney Allen what the Atlanta Music Club do to further the progress of talented young students in Atlanta. “Provide a local orchestra” was Mrs. Allen’s answer.

Along with Mrs. Chalmers and Mrs. Allen, Miss Kern was a supporter of this idea and emphasized that it was the responsibility of the teachers of the city to see that serious students and adults had an opportunity to rehearse and perform. An ensemble of seventeen players convened to explore the possibilities for such an orchestra at the home of Mrs. Andrew Fairlie. That fall an invitation was issued to Atlanta musicians for the newly formed Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra. The Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra made its concert debut on May 12, 1958 under the baton of Harry Kruger.

About the ACSO

The newly formed orchestra immediately provided gifted musicians an opportunity to

rehearse and perform with a full sized symphony on a volunteer basis. Its membership today includes advance music students, amateurs, music teachers, semi-professional and former professional musicians.

Today ACSO provides the citizens of metro Atlanta and other Georgia cities over six symphonic concerts a year at no admission charge. The Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra joined the American Symphony Orchestra League in April 1978 and still is current member.

The Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra (ACSO) under the direction of Juan R. Ramirez, Artistic Director and Conductor, is celebrating its 51 anniversary season having been founded by the Atlanta Music Club in 1958.

The 80+ member orchestra was designed to offer serious instrumentalists, both professional and non-professional, an opportunity to perform orchestral literature.

The orchestra includes a wide spectrum of players: teachers, doctors, lawyers, students, housewives, and business executives from the greater Metropolitan Atlanta area.