ProMusica Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1978 to present the best of traditional chamber orchestra repertoire and to promote the understanding and appreciation of contemporary American music. Since 1998, ProMusica has served as the resident orchestra of the historic Southern Theatre.

Under the direction of Co-Founder and Music Director, Timothy Russell, ProMusica has commissioned 41 new works and has presented 95 premieres. In 2005-2006 ProMusica presented three world premieres, including works by Joan Tower, Andrew Kinney, and Vera Stanojevic, the winner of the Ohio Composers Competition, which ProMusica sponsored. The 2006-2007 Season will feature commissions and world premieres by Gabriela Frank, Christopher Theofanidis, and Richard Cioffari.

The orchestra has won eight (8) awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) for Adventurous Programming. Other awards include those from the Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Columbus Jewish Foundation. Timothy Russell has been nominated for two Grammy awards.

ProMusica also continues an active recordings program with ten compact discs released to date. ProMusica Live at the Southern (2002), is a compilation recording of ProMusica’s first three seasons at the historic Southern Theatre. American Jazz Concertos (2003) is a collection of jazz-inspired concertos including a commissioned piece by Oliver Lake. ProMusica’s 10th CD, American Originals, was released to rave reviews in January 2005 and features premieres by Peter Schickele, David Noon and Michael Daugherty. A new recording is underway that will include Christopher Theofanidis' Concerto for Piano and Chamber Orchestra, ProMusica Concertmaster Yenn-Chwen Er’s composition Shan Shui, and Serenata by Roberto Sierra.

ProMusica presents a Baroque for the Ages Chamber Music Series at the Pontifical College Josephinum. In addition, ProMusica has also presented four large-scale productions, including a fully-staged performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, Stravinsky’s L’Histoire de Soldat, Gluck’s Orfeo and Stephen Sondheim’s opera-like chamber musical Passion.

Educational programs have included award-winning symposia, pre-concert conversations, school concerts, and curriculum guides. Community programs include free admission open rehearsals for seniors.

The orchestra’s annual Gala has showcased crossover artistry, with guests including Mark O’Connor, Nanci Griffith, Regina Carter, Paquito D’Rivera, and Béla Fleck & the Flecktones.

ProMusica is funded in part through the work of The Columbus Foundation, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and the Ohio Arts Council. Media support is provided by WOSU-FM. Additional support is provided by The Drury Inn and Thrifty Car Rental.