The Burbank Philharmonic is the only professional orchestra in the San Fernando Valley, and proud to provide free world-class concerts for the residents and visitors of Burbank and surrounding communities. The roots of the Burbank Philharmonic began over a hundred years ago, in the 1920’s, when a community orchestra was formed with local amateur musicians.
 
After World War II, musical director Leo G. Damiani added professional musicians from the local movie studios and the Burbank Symphony Orchestra was born. The first free concert was performed in July of 1944 on a simple wooden platform stage in Stough Park, with telephone poles for audience seating, and lanterns for lighting. The city wanted a more permanent venue for the orchestra and in 1951 constructed the Starlight Bowl.
 
It was at a Burbank Symphony performance that Walt Disney saw Annette Funicello perform in Swan Lake and cast her in “The Mickey Mouse Club." And the Burbank Youth Symphony featured a young Debbie Reynolds on French Horn.
 
In addition to the Starlight Bowl, the orchestra has performed at iconic local venues like the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, the Alex Theater in Glendale, the Colony Theater in Burbank, and Forest Lawn Hall of Liberty. The Burbank Philharmonic has performed at the City of Burbank’s Fourth of July celebrations at the Starlight Bowl, and has hosted family concerts, including memorable performances like "Peter and the Wolf," narrated by local favorite Fritz Coleman.
 
The Burbank Philharmonic is committed to music education and sponsors many educational programs, including the Hennings-Fischer Young Artist Competition for talented young soloists, and the Discovery Conductor Project for advanced high school conductors.
 
As the only professional orchestra in the San Fernando Valley, we are proud to continue a hundred-year-old legacy of performing free orchestra concerts for the residents and visitors of Burbank.
 
The Burbank Philharmonic is a 501(c)(3) arts non-profit organization.