In the year 2009, the Toruń Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 30th anniversary. It was founded as the Toruń Chamber Orchestra in the artistic season of 1978/79. The Orchestra has been governed and sponsored by the City Authorities of Toruń since 1990, to which it owes its dynamic development. In 2006 it was renamed as the Toruń Symphony Orchestra. 

The ensemble has become a fixed element of the city’s culture, organising concerts at home and making Toruń famous when touring Poland and abroad.

The Toruń Symphony Orchestra, since its foundation, has given around two thousand concerts in all Polish cities, in many European countries (such as Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Belarus, Lithuania) and at prestigious festivals. Moreover, the Orchestra has recently toured China for a month. 

Another important aspect in the Orchestra’s activity since 1997 has been organising the yearly Toruń – Music and Architecture Festival. The next, 13th edition of this festival will take place in summer 2009 under the name Europe – Toruń, Music and Architecture. The main idea of the festival is to present classical music in historic interiors. Festival concerts are organised in July and August, the holiday months at Polish schools. 

The Orchestra has cooperated with the most renowned conductors: T. Bugaj, M. J. Błaszczyk, J. Domarkas, K. Missona, M. Pijarowski, Z. Rychert, J. Salwarowski, J. Swoboda, K. Stryja, T. Wojciechowski, as well as famous soloists: A. Bauer, R. Blechacz, V. Brodski, K. Danczowska, Ł. Długosz, B. Harasimowicz, A. Hiolski, I. Hossa, E. Indjic, J. Jakowicz, K. Jakowicz, M. Yashvili, K. Kenner, U. Kryger, K. A. Kulka, P. Kusiewicz, W. Malicki, J. Mechliński, I. Monighetti, J. Olejniczak, P. Paleczny, P. Pławner, E. Pobłcka, J. Rappe, B. Ringeissen, K. Suska T. Shebanova, S. Toczyska, E. Towarnicka, W. Wiłkomirska, and A. Zdunikowski. 

Apart from the participation in the numerous festivals in Poland and abroad, the Orchestra has also made recordings for the Polish Radio and Television, as well as the Suisse Romande Radio. In 1996, the then Toruń Chamber Orchestra conducted by J. Salwarowski recorded a CD entitled Famous Classical Miniatures (Słynne miniatury klasyczne) and next year, a monographic CD with F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy’s music. Another CD, also in 1997, with W. A. Mozart’s Great Mass in C-Minor KV 427, was recorded in Sorø (Denmark) under the baton of Knud Vad. In 1999 in Sorø, the Orchestra recorded further Mozart’s works, namely: Requiem in D minor KV 626, Ave Verum Corpus KV 618 and Laudate Dominum KV 339. In 2001 in Sorø, together with the Soranus Choir, the Copenhagen Academic Choir and the soloists Ann Petersen (soprano), Adam Zdunikowski (tenor) and Ole Støvring Larsen (baritone), the Toruń Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Knud Vad, recorded L. van Beethoven’s works: Overture Leonore II Op. 72a and Oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives Op. 85.

Within the Orchestra, three smaller ensembles are active: the Toruń String Quartet, the Toruń Brass Quartet and the String Quartet of the Toruń Symphony Orchestra. Made up of artists who are members of the Orchestra, the ensembles make the concert repertoire more attractive and improve the cultural life in Toruń and the whole Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province. 

Furthermore, the Toruń Symphony Orchestra provides musical education for children and youth in Toruń and the Province, which is very important. The Orchestra has cooperated for years with the Karol Szymanowski Complex of Music Schools in Toruń, making it possible for outstanding young artists to perform as soloists at special concerts with the Orchestra. 

The present manager of the Toruń Symphony Orchestra is Paweł Dudzik and the artistic director is Piotr Sułkowski. The Orchestra is now made up of 54 artists.