The idea of a regional symphony orchestra took shape in the fall of 1996 with a group of musicians, music lovers, and interested citizens. The Marquette Symphony Orchestra began playing in 1997, and has since performed increasingly difficult pieces with undeniable grace. Musicians from around the region dedicate their time and talent to achieving the highest quality, and as every musician knows, it all begins with practice.

While practice is essential, the work doesn’t end there. Along with setting up the stage and transporting equipment, each concert requires six rehearsals, with separate string rehearsals leading to Friday and Saturday full orchestra gatherings. Of the orchestra’s 72 players, about 60 are from Marquette County, including some public school students. The Marquette Symphony Orchestra provides their only opportunity to play classical music at this level of difficulty. Other key players travel from the Lower Peninsula and northeast Wisconsin.

The orchestra plays four concerts in a season – usually September, November, February, and May. The audience can expect bona fide classical music – not watered down or simplified arrangements, but rather the same music major symphony orchestras might play. Over the years, the music has proved to be of the highest caliber and the musicians continue to prove they can meet the challenge.

The Marquette Symphony Orchestra is funded through ticket sales, program advertising sales, and private donations. Audience size ranges from 400-500 per concert. To cover costs such as musician stipends and travel expenses, the orchestra requires at least six thousand dollars from advertising, twenty thousand dollars from ticket sales, and thirty thousand dollars from private donations of music lovers and public-spirited citizens.