Regular orchestral concerts in Vaasa date back to 1930, when an Orchestra Society was founded in the town. In 1974, the orchestra became part of the City of Vaasa.
Vaasa City Orchestra comprises 31 musicians. Tomas Djupsjöbacka has been the chief conductor of the orchestra since January 2021. Orchestra’s composer-in-residence is Markus Fagerudd. The orchestra works and performs in the historical Vaasa City Hall, in the center of Vaasa.
In addition to traditional symphonic concerts, the orchestra does concerts with other musical directions, for schools etc. The orchestra frequently collaborates with other neighboring orchestras.
Vaasa City Orchestra appears at various festivals during summertime such as Ilmajoki Music Festival, Korsholm Music Festival and Lohtaja Church Music Festival.
The orchestra also collaborates in a yearly opera production with Vaasa Opera Foundation and Vaasa City Theatre.
Since 1999, every third year, Vaasa City Orchestra has organized the International Jorma Panula Conducting Competition together with Viljo and Maire Vuorio Foundation. Vaasa City Orchestra also operates as the orchestra for the annual Jorma Panula conductor masterclasses, arranged by the Panula Academy.
