The orchestra is made up of 5 ensembles (namely SuperStrings, Preparatory, Debut, Sinfonia, and Senior) of about 25 members each who rehearse weekly and perform throughout the year.
The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO) was founded in 1966 by violinist William Whitson, who served as its Music Director for 36 years until his untimely death at the age of 62 in 2001.
During his long tenure as Music Director, William Whitson conducted PACO on many international tours throughout the world, performing in Canada (1967), the West Indies (1969), North Western U.S. (1971, 1976), Europe (1974, 1984, 1986, 1992, 1996) Australia (1988), the Soviet Union (1990) and China & South Korea (1994.)
Over a 30-year span, PACO also hosted the Palo Alto Twilight Concerts and A Bach Celebration!
PACO annually held an Ashland Tour, established in 1971 by Whitson, as the featured guest orchestra performing on the outdoor Elizabethan Stage at the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival.