The music director is Andres Moran, who is also the Professor of Horn at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
CWSO began in 1947 when it grew out of the music classes of Peter Michelsen, instructor at Central State Teachers' College (now University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point).
In 1977 the name changed to Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra.
In January 2015, the CWSO moved its operations to the Smith Scarabocchio Art Museum, a venue of the Parks and Recreation Department of the city of Stevens Point.
The museum is managed by the CWSO and the rotating exhibits are curated by a volunteer committee of professional artists.