An evening concert on December 18, 1921 marked the first performance of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. This was the creation and dream of KSO founder Mrs. Leta Snow, who served as a manager for the Symphony's first 28 years. She was an expert at cultivating musicians from around the world and bringing them to Kalamazoo with the promise of employment and performing opportunities.
The KSO currently employs 86 musicians, including a salaried String Quartet. Over the years, the KSO has welcomed nationally recognized artists including Artur Rubinstein, Isaac Stern, Itzhak Periman, James Galway, Andre Watts, Beverly Sills, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong and Doc Severinsen. The Symphony's concert schedule now includes seven classical subscription performances, a chamber orchestra series, a family series, special gala and holiday events, free summer outdoor concerts, chamber music concerts, and educational programs and concerts reaching over 45,000 children each season.