Read our new 2011/12 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY here. (pdf)

Founded in 1932 and subsequently the first state-supported symphony in the country, the North Carolina Symphony is a vital and honored component of North Carolina's cultural life. Its 175 performances annually are greeted with enthusiasm throughout the state, in communities large and small, in concert halls, auditoriums, gymnasiums and outdoor settings. Under the artistic leadership of Music Director Grant Llewellyn, the orchestra has grown in stature and sophistication, now advancing a well-earned reputation for innovative programming and collaborative projects.

Devoted to bringing music to the entire state of North Carolina, the Symphony counts as one of its proudest achievements an extensive education program, unrivaled by any U.S. orchestra. Approximately 45 concerts per year are performed free for school children throughout the state and are part of the schools' music education curriculum. In addition, among many education initiatives, the North Carolina Symphony stages the annual Youth Concerto Competition, honors an outstanding music educator, sponsors the Triangle Youth Philharmonic and offers master classes for both adults and young people.

The North Carolina Symphony can be heard on WUNC 91.5 FM or through its seven CD releases, including two celebrated titles on the BIS label: American Spectrum with saxophonist Branford Marsalis and a 2010 release of concertos by Rachmaninoff and Medtner with pianist Yevgeny Sudbin. Top soloists from the classical and pops worlds—including Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Lang Lang, Joshua Bell, Yuja Wang, Lynn Harrell, Pink Martini, Ben Folds, Randy Newman and Idina Menzel—have joined the orchestra and taken advantage of two of the country’s finest performance venues, the spectacular Meymandi Concert Hall at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh and Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. The orchestra has also appeared twice at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and Orchestra Hall in Chicago.

Learn more about our North Carolina Symphony musicians here. Check out their professional bios as well as some fun personal Q&As.

Read notable quotes about the NCS from press, patrons, students and donors here.