The Auburn Symphony Orchestra, a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation, was founded in May 1996. It was conceived on a cocktail napkin by Stewart Kershaw, internationally recognized conductor and music director of Seattle's Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, and Josie Emmons Turner, then cultural programs manager for the City of Auburn.

Performing in the City of Auburn, the symphony operates with the support of the City of Auburn’s Arts Commission.  The ASO is a fully professional orchestra, comprised of more than 60 musicians from the Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) and other Northwest orchestras.

Its purpose is to provide musicians from PNB and other northwest professional orchestras an opportunity to perform symphonic music on stage. It is also to present classical music of world-class caliber to residents of Auburn and surrounding areas, as well as to encourage young people to enjoy classical music.

Stewart Kershaw’s personal mission for the ASO is to promote the best in the northwest, showcasing both professional musicians from northwest orchestras and inviting top northwest soloists to participate. In addition, each year he auditions young talented musicians from South King County to play with the orchestra.

The orchestra was officially incorporated and its Board of Trustees created in May 1996.  Its Founders were: Herman Ansingh, Mark Johnson, Stewart Kershaw, Ted Leonard, Tom McCloskey, Stephannie Snow, Gertrude Sprenger, Josie Emmons Turner and Lee Valenta.

The first concerts, sponsored by the City of Auburn's Bravo! Series, were held in February 1997, followed by two more in October of that year. April concerts were added in 2000, then Chamber Music concerts in 2006 for a total of eight every season.

The Auburn Symphony “Notes” newsletter was begun in October 2002 and is currently issued on a quarterly basis to an expanding mailing list.

The first “Bach to Broadway” wine-tasting dinner and gala took place in the spring of 2004, raising over $13,000. The 2006 gala will be on Saturday, June 3rd.

In the fall of 2004 ASO approached the King County Council for funding assistance, and with the help of Councilwoman Julia Patterson, ASO was granted $80,000 to use for development, which enabled the orchestra to further establish itself. In 2005, through the efforts of Councilman Peter Von Reichbauer, the orchestra received a further $50,000 allocation.

ASO’s close relationship with the Auburn School District has resulted in regular attendance of students at rehearsals and performances. In addition, a relationship with local area high schools has included talks by musicians in the classroom.

In association with the City of Auburn Arts Commission, co-founder and music director Stewart Kershaw annually auditions and selects talented music students from South King and North Pierce Counties to play alongside ASO’s professional musicians. This has provided a wonderful opportunity for young musicians and has fulfilled a dream Stewart had to encourage young musicians.

In 2004 ASO assisted Puget Sound Youth Wind Ensemble as they began fundraising and auditioning for a new youth wind organization, drawing musicians from the entire Puget Sound area.

In 2005, among other performances, the ASO presented a spectacular rendition of Dimitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11 “The Year 1905”, which clearly positioned the orchestra as one of the State’s top professional orchestras

In March 2006 the Auburn Symphony received $100,000 in bequests from two local supporters, which helped set the orchestra on track for a sound financial future. Gertie Sprenger left the orchestra a bequest of $75,000 because “She wanted to ensure it would continue to succeed”. Classical music lover Jane Gattavara also made a generous gift of $25,000 to the ASO.

The 2006/2007 season celebrated the orchestra's tenth anniversary.  The highlight of the season was a gala concert at Seattle's Benaroya Hall, with an audience of more than 1,000 from all over the region.

The ASO began its second decade in a sound financial position, with a growing audience and acknowledgement from the critics that the orchestra was on a par with the Seattle Symphony.