Founded in 1941, the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional (National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic) is the leading classical orchestra of the Dominican Republic.
In 1941, the Symphonic Orchestra of Santo Domingo became the National Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra was enlarged by including in it musicians from the Concert Society, the Musical Band of the Army of the Dominican Republic, and the Municipal Band of Santo Domingo. At its formation the National Symphony Orchestra was chiefly composed of a number of professors from the Dominican Republic. Since then it has had members from all sorts of nationalities.
In 1986, the National Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc., was established to provide private sector support for the orchestra, which remains a state institution under the Ministry of Culture of the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic National Symphony Orchestra has participated, since 1997, in the Santa Domingo music festival. The Santo Domingo Music Festival, international classical music event celebrated biannually since 1997 in the National Theater of the Dominican capital, is the brainchild of Maestro Philippe Entremont, who created this artistic event together with Sinfonía Foundation. Maestro Entremont has shared his successful career as a pianist with orchestra conduction. Actually he is the principal conductor of the Munich Symphony Orchestra, Laureate Director of the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and Conductor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. In addition to internationally famous soloists which are presented during the festivals, musicians from renowned orchestra from Europe and the United States join the National Symphony Orchestra, and form the Festival Orchestra. From its start, the Santo Domingo Music Festival Programs have offered exceptional quality and variety and are enthusiastically expected by the public.