Its first music director was Karl Kritz, assisted by Benson Snyder and Carolyn Hopkins.

Assisted by a Ford Foundation Challenge Grant, their budget grew, and recordings were regularly being broadcast on WONO-FM.

[2] On December 14, 2012, musician-owned and operated organization Musical Associates of Central New York announced their new orchestra in Syracuse, named Symphoria.

In 1999 the orchestra was presented with the Governor's Arts Award in recognition of its activities within the region.

[1] Twice in its history the orchestra had been forced to cut short its season due to budgetary issues.