Music is powerful; transformative. Within a community, music is a space for exploration and curiosity and connection. Transcending one single interpretation or storyline, music is capable of uniting hearts and minds as audiences and musicians alike share the experience of music. This is what lies at the heart of the Idaho Falls Symphony. This is what motivates us to create and connect. For more than 75 years, the Idaho Falls Symphony has been a cornerstone of Eastern Idaho, impacting our community through the transformative power of music. 

The roots of the Idaho Falls Symphony lie with a group of motivated women who wanted to bring educational and cultural opportunities to a growing agricultural hub in Eastern Idaho. Called the Idaho Falls Music Club, in 1912 these women created opportunities for community members to learn to play instruments and enjoy musical concerts. The Club grew and created a huge impact. By the late 1940s it was evident that Idaho Falls was fast becoming a science hub, as well as an agricultural center. With the decision by the US government to locate the Idaho National Laboratory in Eastern Idaho more emphasis was placed on the growing need for music and cultural arts. 

In 1949 the Idaho Falls Music Club and the Community Concerts Association began the collaboration which became the Idaho Falls Symphony. Redefining itself in 1961, the Idaho Falls Symphony Society incorporated, formulated by-laws, and a board of directors was elected. The Idaho Falls Symphony Society has since partnered with many local sponsors to promote a vibrant and nationally recognized symphony orchestra.

Symphony members include professional musicians, music teachers, engineers, medical doctors and many others, all of whom bring an extraordinary dedication to the organization. Today, the orchestra’s growing reputation has attracted musicians throughout the entire Eastern Idaho region, including surrounding states, bringing increased professionalism to the ensemble.

Education and outreach efforts are central to the Symphony’s role in the community as we work to inspire new musicians and impact state educational initiatives. Thousands of children experience the Symphony each year through children’s concerts such as Link Up, family concerts, and the in-school presentations of the Symphony Ambassadors. The three ensembles comprising the Idaho Falls Symphony Youth Orchestras provide an engaging orchestral opportunity for area music students, and masterclasses offered by the Symphony’s world-renowned guest artists inspire generations of emerging musicians. 

As we look ahead to the next 75 years, our mission remains clear: to provide quality live orchestral experiences for the enjoyment, enrichment, and education of our audiences and musicians. Our dedication to expanding educational and community engagement initiatives lies at the heart of our organization. We strive to bring exceptional talent to our stage while continuing to serve as a foundational element of Idaho’s arts culture. Join us in celebrating the enduring beauty of music and supporting an institution committed to its powerful impact on lives.