Pacific Symphony was founded in 1978 to inspire, engage and serve Orange County through exceptional music performances and education and community programming. It leads a renaissance in the appreciation, accessibility and impact of classical music in Orange County and the region, through creativity, responsiveness and innovation. Music Director Carl St.Clair celebrates 32 years as artistic leader alongside President John Forsyte with 24 years of service. Pacific Symphony was invited by the League of American Orchestras to join Group One of the leading symphonies in the nation, alongside the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic. This places the orchestra in the top tier of American music ensembles and reflects its growing national impact and increasing stature in the music field. Until the financial turmoil caused by the pandemic and concert hall closure, the orchestra has had a long history of balanced budgets demonstrating exemplary fiscal oversight.