For more than 100 years, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has entertained Alabamians of all ages and backgrounds, pursuing its mission to change lives through music. As the state’s only full-time professional orchestra, our goal is to perform world-class symphonic music and increase access to the arts for communities in the Birmingham metro area and across the state.
The ASO advances economic and cultural vitality in Alabama through live performances and education programs of the highest artistic standard. Performances include traditional classical, pop music, chamber music, new compositions, and collaborations across genres. Each season, the ASO presents over 100 concerts and education programs in the concert hall and in classrooms and performs for our community in non-traditional venues, like hospitals, malls, parks, and breweries.
The ASO entertains, educates, and inspires nearly 100,000 Alabamians annually, including 25,000 students and teachers in 200 schools across 48 of 67 Alabama counties.
Mission:
The ASO changes lives through music by entertaining, educating, and inspiring audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Our concerts, community events, and free education programs are offered across the state, with a special focus on arts access for underserved communities.
Highlights
In the concert hall
• The ASO’s Masterworks series has something for every classical music lover, from classical’s most famous pieces to modern compositions.
• Coffee Concerts allow students and seniors to attend condensed daytime concerts.
• Our SuperPOPS! series includes pop tunes, movie screenings, Broadway hits, and more. • A new series at the historic Carver Theatre presents intimate chamber music.
In the community
• Our season kicks off with a free Symphony in the Gardens concert at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in September.
• Our season finale, Symphony in the Summer, is three nights of free music at Railroad Park over Memorial Day Weekend!
• Music Meets Medicine offers ASO chamber performances to over 400 patients and healthcare professionals in several metro area hospitals.
• Tunes on Tap are fun, free ASO concerts at breweries in and around Birmingham.
In the classroom
• ASO Education fills gaps in music education through custom, standards-based concerts, lesson plans, streaming, and visits to classrooms. We serve 25,000+ students in 200 schools across 48 counties.
• Our Momentum Symposium offers free performances and professional development for all Alabama collegiate music students, with a special focus on HBCUs.
• We cultivate young talent through Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO), which rehearses weekly and performs 4 annual public concerts.
