In the early 1960s, a small group of friends started gathering at the North Olmsted home of Fred and Virginia Mitchell to play music together. They occasionally performed at church functions but primarily played for their own enjoyment. Word spread, and as their sessions grew in both frequency and size, the group quickly outgrew the Mitchells' house. 

 

In 1963, with the help of the mayor, the North Olmsted Recreation Commission, and the North Olmsted Board of Education, the Mitchells formed the North Olmsted Community Orchestra. Rehearsals were held once a week in the North Olmsted High School band room by Mrs. Linda Hershey, director of the North Olmsted High School Orchestra. The 45-member orchestra held its first official concert on June 9, 1963, in the school auditorium.

 

Over the years, musicians from surrounding communities joined the orchestra, and in 1976 the North Olmsted Community Orchestra changed its name to Symphony West to better reflect its membership.​​

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During its early years (1963–2002), the orchestra's rehearsals and performances took place in the auditorium of North Olmsted​ High School. In 2004, the orchestra began a partnership with Baldwin Wallace College in Berea and began performing on the beautiful stage of Gamble Auditorium. When the auditorium underwent a major renovation in 2011, the orchestra performed at local churches and recreation centers for a time.  After the renovation was completed, the orchestra returned to Gamble Auditorium for performances. Since 2021, rehearsals have been held in the Keller Center of St. Adalbert's.

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Today, 60 musicians from around northeast Ohio play in the orchestra. A number of the musicians have been playing with the orchestra for decades. 

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Conductors