The Lake Charles Symphony realized the importance of the youth in the area from the beginning, and free children’s concerts were given from the first season on. Financial support for the youth concerts came from the Junior League until 1968, when the Symphony Auxiliary assumed the project. A Concerto Auditions Project was started by the League in 1961 and later became an Auxiliary project. Auditions were open to the seventh through twelfth grade students and the winners were invited to perform as soloists at the spring youth concert. Reviving this project in 1999, the Lake Charles Symphony now sponsors a Concerto Competition for high school students and features the winners at its annual Family Concert in April. The youth concerts, begun by the League so many years ago, have evolved into the now-popular Free Family Concert held each spring. Today, the emphasis is on introducing classical music to children at a younger age in a positive family atmosphere.

In addition to the family concert, the Symphony promotes Arts-in-Education throughout the five-parish area with programs such as “Let’s Visit a Symphony Neighborhood,” “What Are Those People Doing Up There?” and “Meet the Composer.” A significant feature of the Symphony’s vision has always been its collaborative projects with other arts organizations. In recent years, the Symphony has joined forces with the Louisiana Choral Foundation, Lake Charles Ballet Society, Lake Charles Civic Ballet, Dance Theatre Southwest, Lake Charles Little Theatre, and others to bring the best in musical entertainment to this community.

During the Symphony’s 52-year history, the conductor’s baton has been held by five distinguished men: B. Warren Signor, Dr. George Ruffin Marshall, Don Wilder, James MacInnes, and William Kushner, who has held the position for more than thirty years.

Today, with the strong foundation provided by the Junior League and the continued support of this community, the Lake Charles Symphony is committed to enhancing the cultural life of Southwest Louisiana through performances of the highest quality. The Symphony performs in the Rosa Hart Theatre of the Lake Charles Civic Center, which seats 2,000 people.

The Symphony’s business office is located in the newly renovated Central School Arts and Humanities Center.