Orchestras were formed ad hoc in Mankato as far back as the 1880s to accompany the area’s many choral groups, and by the turn of the 20th century, Handel’s Messiah had become an annual event. In 1922, a full orchestra accompanied the Messiah for the first time, conducted by an alumna of the Boston Conservatory.

Symphony orchestras came and went in the Mankato area until 1950, when the local musicians’ union, the State Teacher's College (now Minnesota State University, Mankato), Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, and the Mankato public schools joined forces to organize a permanent orchestra. The Mankato Symphony Orchestra came into being from that effort. Since that time, the Mankato Symphony has grown to become a cornerstone of the arts in the Mankato area. The Orchestra has had nine conductors over its history. Our current conductor is Kenneth Freed.

In 2010 the Mankato Symphony Orchestra will celebrate its 60th year anniversary!