The Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Inc. had a humble beginning in 1975, when a group of musicians and spirited citizens set about to create an orchestra for their community. In the fall of 1976 a four-concert subscription season was initiated; the orchestra was incorporated in the State of Florida and recognized by the IRS as a 501c3 non-profit corporation.

      Concerts were presented at the Ocala Breeders Sales Pavilion and at the Golden Hills Theatre prior to moving to the Fine Arts Auditorium at the Central Florida Community College now known as the College of Central Florida. The Symphony became affiliated with the college Foundation in 1991, an association believed to be unique as the first affiliation of a community college with a symphony orchestra. A Citrus County Committee was formed in 1992, and two concerts were presented in 1993 at the Curtis-Peterson Auditorium in Lecanto. Over the years the orchestra audience has grown significantly forcing the move to larger venues to accommodate its popularity within the community. For the 2006-2007 season the OSO went back to its “roots” performing again in the spacious Ocala Breeder’s Sales Auditorium where audience numbers have nearly doubled.

      In addition to the regular concert schedule, the orchestra has performed special free concerts, in cooperation with the City of Ocala and the Marion County Public School System, as well as for school children in Citrus County. The 2007 Children's Concert was a grand success with the orchestra performing to over 4,000 Marion County Public and Private school fourth grade students at the First Baptist Church. The event was sponsored by Ocala Electric Utility and Marion County Public Schools and was broadcasted by local news stations and through the public school intranet system to expand the educational reach to those that could not attend. Since 1990, the OSO has sponsored a Young Artist Competition to seek out talented young musicians, who are recognized by an invitation to perform with the orchestra after intense auditions. Cash prizes are also awarded. The annual "Ocala’s Symphony Under the Lights" community concert on Ocala's Historic Downtown Square sponsored by Jenkins Hyundai, Acura & Mazda takes place in December and was initiated by former Mayor and Symphony Board member Gerald Ergle. The Orchestra has been invited to perform at many special events sponsored by local organizations, and each year on Mother's Day, performs at Fine Arts for Ocala's "Symphony Under the Stars".