The Philharmonic Society of Orange County is a nonprofit music presenter with an office at 1124 Main St. in Irvine. It brings visiting orchestras, chamber ensembles and soloists to Orange County and runs music education programs for students.
According to the society’s history page, a group of music lovers met in Santa Ana in April 1954 and formed the Orange County Philharmonic Society. Conductor Frieda Belinfante led a “sample concert” at Santa Ana High School that May, and the backers then incorporated the society.
Mission of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County
The posted mission is to “foster an appreciation for music” by presenting national and international performances while also providing music education programs for people of all ages.
Concerts
Since 2006 the society has presented most of its concerts at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa. It also performs at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Musco Center for the Arts and the Soka Performing Arts Center. Its seasons have included the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, Yo-Yo Ma and Renée Fleming, and it presents series under the names Eclectic Orange and World Music.
Youth music education
The society’s About page says its Youth Music Education Programs are free to schools, students and parents and engage more than 80,000 students a year. Another page on its site cites more than 100,000, so the figure varies by source and year.
The society also runs the Orange County Youth Symphony and String Ensemble, which offers multi-level ensemble instruction and performance opportunities to young musicians. Its programs are supported by volunteer committees.
Ways to support the Philharmonic Society of Orange County
The society sells concert tickets and accepts donations through its website. Its volunteer committees support the education programs, and the site lists how to join.
Official site: https://www.philharmonicsociety.org/
Verified 501(c)(3): Philharmonic Society of Orange County, EIN 95-1805452, ruling year 1955. This information comes from GuideStar as of September 2026.
Related: Segerstrom Center for the Arts is where the society presents most of its concerts.
This profile is part of The 824 Journal’s Nonprofit Spotlight series. See more in the Nonprofit Spotlight archive.
Sources
- GuideStar: Philharmonic Society of Orange County
- Philharmonic Society of Orange County: Our mission
- Philharmonic Society of Orange County: About us
- Philharmonic Society of Orange County: History and archives
