The orchestra's main venue is Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo, MI.
The orchestra played its first concert under the direction of clarinetist-volunteer Chester Z. Bronson on December 28, 1921 with only 25 musicians.. Due to the efforts of Kalamazoo Symphony Society secretary and KSO Manager Leta G. Snow, by 1928, the orchestra had grown to 75 musicians and its fourth conductor, David Mattern.
In 1934, the orchestra named Dr. Herman Felber, Jr. conductor, a post he would continue to fill for 25 years.
During the 1940s, several outstanding soloists were featured with the orchestra, including Artur Rubinstein, Isaac Stern, and Georges Enesco.
Ultimately, Gregory Millar became the full-time resident conductor and music director.