The San Diego Symphony Orchestra performed its first concert on December 6, 1910. In the 100-plus years since its inception, the SDSO has become one of the leading orchestras in the United States and was designated a Tier 1 Orchestra by the League of American Orchestras in 2010. It is committed to providing musical experiences of superior quality for the greater San Diego community and beyond. Through a rich mixture of innovative and educational programming designed to appeal to all ages and cultures, the Symphony makes music an integral part of the cultural and intellectual fabric of Southern California, valued by and relevant to all its residents. The Music Director of the San Diego Symphony is Rafael Payare. The Principal Guest Conductor is Edo de Waart, and Jahja Ling serves as Conductor Laureate.

The Orchestra offers a wide range of concert experiences and performs more than 140 concerts each year. The SDSO’s performances at the Jacobs Music Center and beyond include:

Jacobs Masterworks offers traditional classical repertoire and features guest artists such as Joshua Bell, Lang Lang and Gil Shaham.
Broadway @ The Jacobs focuses on Broadway hits and the Great American Songbook; it features popular guest artists such as Michael Feinstein, Lea Salonga and Patti Lupone.
Family Concerts feature family-friendly concerts and an opportunity to expose children to classical music.
The Fox Theatre Film Series shows classic Silent Era films and contemporary favorites. The Hall’s built-in, mighty Fox Theatre Robert Morton Theater Organ often accompanies the classics of the Silent Film Era while modern films are screened with the San Diego Symphony providing the musical soundtrack.
Jazz @ The Jacobs brings together the finest local and international artists of modern jazz music at the Jacobs Music Center.
The Chamber Music Series is presented at La Jolla’s Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center (“The Conrad”), bringing together world-class performers and musicians of the Orchestra for intimate musical encounters.
Each summer, from Fourth of July weekend through Labor Day, the Orchestra presents an outdoor Bayside Summer Nights season at Embarcadero Marina Park South, mixing classical favorites and pop music on San Diego’s picturesque waterfront.