For more than sixty years, the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra has brought the power of live orchestral music to communities across DeKalb County and beyond. Through inspiring performances, educational programs, and community partnerships, the orchestra creates moments of beauty, discovery, and connection for audiences of all ages. 

Founded in 1964 alongside DeKalb College (later Georgia Perimeter College), the orchestra became an important cultural resource for students and residents alike. Although the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra has operated as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since the 1980s, the college provided significant institutional support for many decades. Today the orchestra continues its work across DeKalb County, performing in welcoming community venues and bringing world class orchestral music directly to the communities it serves.
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Under the artistic leadership of Music Director and Conductor Dr. Paul Bhasin, who began his tenure in 2022, the orchestra has entered a period of remarkable artistic growth. In a February 2026 review for ArtsATL, critic Jordan Owen wrote that the orchestra “has grown by leaps and bounds under Bhasin” and declared that “the DSO is now firing on all cylinders in a way it never has before.”
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Each season, the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra brings together more than 75 musicians and dedicated volunteers to present concerts, educational programs, and outreach initiatives reaching thousands of people across the county.
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For many in our community, a DeKalb Symphony Orchestra concert is their first opportunity to hear the thrilling sound of a full orchestra live. A student hearing a symphony for the first time. A family discovering classical music together. In these shared moments, music becomes more than a performance. It becomes a powerful connection that brings neighbors and generations together.
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As the orchestra enters a new era of artistic momentum, the support of our community ensures that these moments of inspiration and connection will continue to enrich DeKalb County and the greater Metro Atlanta for generations to come.