[1] The RDSO was founded with financial assistance from the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, as a community ensemble.
The orchestra's chamber music concerts were found not to be financially sustainable, and were discontinued in 2012.
[6][7] In 2017 the orchestra took part in Canada 150 celebration concert with Steven Page.
[8] For the anniversary, the RDSO, along with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, had commissioned a short composition by Canadian composer Cheryl Cooney, entitled "Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era?".
[10] The RDSO appeared as a headlining act at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta.