Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
An American professional symphony orchestra based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, performing concerts, educational programs, recordings, tours, and opera productions.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is a professional American symphony orchestra based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its principal performance venue is the Bradley Symphony Center, where the orchestra performs in Allen-Bradley Hall. The MSO also serves as the orchestra for productions of the Florentine Opera, extending its role beyond the standard symphonic concert season into opera and collaborative performance work. The organization developed from the Milwaukee Pops Orchestra, a part-time ensemble founded approximately a decade before the MSO adopted its present name. In 1959, the ensemble formally became the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and appointed Harry John Brown as its first music director. Brown led the transition from a semi-professional pops organization into a fully professional, full-time symphony orchestra, establishing the institutional and artistic foundation for the modern MSO. Under Kenneth Schermerhorn, music director from 1968 to 1980, the orchestra expanded its public reach through a statewide touring program that brought performances to communities throughout Wisconsin and, on some occasions, nearby Illinois. The MSO also began presenting student concerts, made its Carnegie Hall debut in 1972, and undertook its first international tour, visiting the Dominican Republic in 1974. The Milwaukee Symphony Chorus was founded in 1976 at the invitation of Schermerhorn and Margaret Hawkins. The orchestra broadened its artistic profile under Lukas Foss, who served from 1981 to 1986, with increased attention to contemporary music and works by American composers. Foss's tenure also included the MSO's first European tour. Zdeněk Mácal, music director from 1986 to 1995, led recording projects devoted to Antonín Dvořák, supported the launch of the Arts in Community Education program in 1990, and conducted an international tour of Japan in 1992. Later artistic leadership included Andreas Delfs, Edo de Waart, and Ken-David Masur. The MSO has presented more than 100 world and American premieres, including works by composers such as Lukas Foss, Philip Glass, Daron Hagen, Gian Carlo Menotti, Matthias Pintscher, Roberto Sierra, Gunther Schuller, William Schuman, and others. More than 22 premiered works were composed by MSO musicians. Its recording history includes projects on the Koss Classics, Telarc, and other labels, with repertory ranging from complete Dvořák symphonies and tone poems to Beethoven, Berlioz, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Smetana, Kodály, and Engelbert Humperdinck. In 2005, the orchestra became the first American orchestra to make recent concert recordings available for download through iTunes and its own website. The orchestra has also pursued unusually visible international and civic initiatives. Its 1999 Cuba Millennium Tour was politically contentious because it took place during the continuing United States embargo, but the performances were well received and later documented in The Cuba Concerts. The MSO has maintained an education and community-engagement mission through student concerts, statewide touring, and the Arts in Community Education program. In December 2017, the orchestra purchased the former Warner Grand Theatre. The building was restored and remodeled as a new home for the organization, opening to full audiences in October 2021 as the Bradley Symphony Center. The venue project became a major turning point in the MSO's modern identity, giving the orchestra a dedicated downtown performance and community space. Ken-David Masur is scheduled to conclude his music-director tenure at the end of the 2025–2026 season; Ryan Tani is identified as assistant conductor. The organization remains an active regional cultural institution with national touring, broadcast, recording, education, and collaborative ambitions.
History
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra traces its institutional ancestry to the Milwaukee Pops Orchestra, a part-time ensemble established before the MSO adopted its current identity. In 1959, the organization formally changed its name to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and appointed Harry John Brown as music director. Brown's nine-year tenure was fundamental to the orchestra's professionalization: the ensemble moved from a semi-professional pops group toward a fully professional, full-time symphony orchestra. Kenneth Schermerhorn became music director in 1968 and served through 1980. During this period, the orchestra expanded its geographic and educational reach. Its State Tour program brought concerts to communities across Wisconsin and into Naperville, Illinois. The MSO also introduced student concerts, appeared at Carnegie Hall for the first time in 1972, and made its first international tour, traveling to the Dominican Republic in March 1974. At Schermerhorn's invitation, Margaret Hawkins established the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus in 1976. Lukas Foss led the orchestra from 1981 to 1986. His tenure emphasized contemporary music and American composition and culminated in the MSO's first European tour. Zdeněk Mácal succeeded him and served from 1986 to 1995. During Mácal's tenure, the orchestra began recording for Koss Classics, including a project covering Antonín Dvořák's symphonies and tone poems. It also established the Arts in Community Education program in 1990 and toured Japan in 1992. Stanisław Skrowaczewski served as artistic advisor from 1995 to 1997, after which Andreas Delfs became music director. Delfs led the organization until 2009 and later received the title of conductor laureate. One of the most distinctive episodes of his tenure was the MSO's 1999 Cuba Millennium Tour. The trip was controversial because it made the orchestra the first American symphony orchestra to visit Cuba since the United States embargo began in 1962. The tour was affected by delayed luggage and food poisoning among many musicians, but the concerts were acclaimed and later issued as The Cuba Concerts in 2000. The orchestra continued to develop its recording and broadcast activities. Its catalog includes works by Dvořák, Beethoven, Berlioz, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Smetana, Kodály, Lukas Foss, John Duffy, Roberto Sierra, and David Ott. In 2004, it released an English-language recording of Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel. In 2005, the MSO became the first American orchestra to offer downloads of recent concert recordings through iTunes and its own website. The orchestra has also appeared in radio broadcasts distributed through the WFMT Radio Network. Edo de Waart served as music director from 2009 to 2017 and was subsequently named conductor laureate. In December 2017, the orchestra purchased the former Warner Grand Theatre. The building underwent restoration and remodeling, eventually reopening to full audiences in October 2021 as the Bradley Symphony Center, with Allen-Bradley Hall serving as the principal concert hall. The venue strengthened the MSO's position as a permanent downtown cultural institution. Ken-David Masur first guest-conducted the orchestra in May 2018 and returned for another guest appearance in September. In November 2018, the MSO announced his appointment as its next music director, effective with the 2019–2020 season; he immediately became music director-designate. The original four-season arrangement was extended during the COVID-19 period through the 2023–2024 season and was later extended again through 2025–2026. In October 2024, the orchestra announced that Masur would conclude his tenure at the end of that season. Ryan Tani is identified as assistant conductor. Across its history, the MSO has presented more than 100 world and American premieres, including more than 22 works by its own musicians, while maintaining education, community, touring, opera, recording, and broadcast activities.
- 2021
Bradley Symphony Center opens
[1]The restored venue opened to full audiences as the Bradley Symphony Center, with Allen-Bradley Hall as the orchestra's principal performance space.
- 2017
Former Warner Grand Theatre acquired
[1]The orchestra purchased the former Warner Grand Theatre for restoration and conversion into a dedicated performance center.
- 2005
Concert downloads introduced
[1]The orchestra began selling downloads of recent concert recordings through iTunes and its own website, becoming the first American orchestra identified with this initiative.
- 1999
Cuba Millennium Tour
[1]The MSO performed in Cuba in a historically and politically notable tour, later documented by a live recording.
- 1992
Japan tour
[1]The orchestra toured Japan under the leadership of Zdeněk Mácal.
- 1990
Arts in Community Education launched
[1]The MSO established its Arts in Community Education program as part of its broader community and educational mission.
- 1986
First European tour
[1]The orchestra made its first European tour during Lukas Foss's final year as music director.
- 1976
Milwaukee Symphony Chorus founded
[1]Margaret Hawkins founded the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus at Kenneth Schermerhorn's invitation.
- 1974
First international tour
[1]The MSO undertook its first international tour, traveling to the Dominican Republic.
- 1972
Carnegie Hall debut
[1]The orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall for the first time during Kenneth Schermerhorn's tenure.
Products and positioning
A professional regional symphony orchestra that combines major-orchestra repertoire and premieres with education, community engagement, opera collaboration, touring, recording, and civic cultural programming.
Live performance
Subscription and single-ticket concerts
The MSO's core offering is a season of live orchestral performances presented primarily at the Bradley Symphony Center in Milwaukee. Programs span standard symphonic repertoire, contemporary compositions, guest artists, special events, and works receiving world or American premieres.
Education and outreach · 1990
Educational and community programs
The orchestra presents student concerts, statewide touring performances, and the Arts in Community Education program. These activities extend the MSO's audience beyond its main concert hall and position the organization as a civic and educational institution as well as a performing ensemble.
Recorded music
Recorded performances
The MSO has released recordings on labels including Koss Classics and Telarc, covering major orchestral repertory and contemporary works. Its projects include Dvořák's symphonies and tone poems, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky, Smetana's Má vlast, and The Cuba Concerts.
Opera collaboration
Florentine Opera orchestral productions
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra serves as the orchestra for productions by the Florentine Opera, adding staged opera accompaniment to its symphonic and educational activities.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Bradley Symphony Center opening
Milwaukee · Wisconsin
The MSO completed the restoration and conversion of the former Warner Grand Theatre into a dedicated home for performances and related activities.
Outcome. The Bradley Symphony Center opened to full audiences in October 2021 and became the orchestra's principal venue.
- 2005Digital concert-download initiative
United States
The MSO began offering recordings of recent concerts through iTunes and its own website, bringing the orchestra's output into an emerging digital-distribution channel.
Outcome. The orchestra was identified as the first American orchestra to sell recent concert recordings through these download channels.
- 1999Cuba Millennium Tour
Cuba · United States
The orchestra traveled to Cuba for a series of performances at a time when cultural exchange remained politically sensitive because of the United States embargo.
Outcome. Despite logistical problems, illness among touring musicians, and political controversy, the performances received strong acclaim and produced the live album The Cuba Concerts.
- 1990Arts in Community Education
Wisconsin
The MSO established an education and community-engagement initiative designed to connect orchestral music with local communities and learning environments.
Outcome. The program became part of the orchestra's continuing civic and educational mission.
Brand decisions
2018
Appointment of Ken-David MasurOtherBackground
Masur guest-conducted the orchestra in May and September 2018, giving the MSO an opportunity to assess an emerging artistic relationship.
Action taken
The orchestra announced Masur as its next music director, effective with the 2019–2020 season, and made him music director-designate immediately.
Aftermath
His initial contract was extended through 2023–2024 during the COVID-19 period, then through 2025–2026; the orchestra later announced that he would conclude the tenure after that season.
2017
Acquisition and redevelopment of the former Warner Grand TheatreStrategyBackground
The orchestra sought a dedicated modern home for its performances and broader cultural programming.
Action taken
The MSO purchased the former Warner Grand Theatre and undertook a restoration and remodeling project.
Aftermath
The venue reopened as the Bradley Symphony Center in 2021, with Allen-Bradley Hall serving as the principal concert hall.
1959
Transition from pops ensemble to professional symphony orchestraStrategyBackground
The predecessor Milwaukee Pops Orchestra operated as a part-time, semi-professional ensemble before adopting the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra identity.
Action taken
The organization formalized its new name and appointed Harry John Brown to lead its development into a full-time professional orchestra.
Aftermath
The decision created the institutional structure that supports the MSO's later concert, touring, education, recording, and opera activities.
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