THE Syrian National Symphony Orchestra:

Founded as a necessity to the development of the Syrian musical life was a normal result of the High Institute of Music.  Its work is the main source of its musicians which was established in 1993 under the patronage of  H.E. Hafez Al Assad, President of Syria Arab Republic.

Mr. Solhi Al Wadi established both the High Institute of Music and The Syrian National Symphony Orchestra which is still a major participant in the Institute. Mr.  . al Wadi became the first Conductor of the Orchestra whereby the Orchestra performed locally and on international stages for more than nine years.

The Orchestra consists of musicians and professors at the High Institute with the help of some foreign experts.  The Orchestra performs classical repertoires including choral works of the great composers with the chorus of the High Institute. 

The Orchestra has become the cultural ambassador by performing in international venues and festivals, i.e.  in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, U.A.E., Turkey, Germany, Spain, Italy (taking part in the European cultural celebrations in Italy Genoa 2004 with six remarkable concerts during November 2004 in Livorno, Ravenna, Fermo, Jesi and Genoa) and the U.S. where, in one of its biggest moments in history, the S. N. S. O. had the chance to perform at the Orange County performing Arts Centre and at the UCLA Royce Hall.  During its concert in the U.S. it was awarded a special certificate from the U.S. Congress and the Art Centre where the performance took place. Mr. Solhi Al Wadi, received a special certificate from the American Congress and from the Art Centre, where he held the concerts.

Some of the Orchestra's members took part in other orchestras such as; La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra, European Mediterranean United Orchestra, Euro Youth Orchestra, the ECUME Orchestra, the Algerian National Orchestra, the Orchestra of the National Institute in Jordan and Alexandria’s Bibliotheque Orchestra.

In 1995 and with the cooperation of the British Council the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra presented Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” as the first opera to be preformed in Syria in Damascus, Palmyra and Bosra.

A number of international conductors and soloists worked with the Orchestra, i.e.,  Nouri El Rouheibany and Raad Khalaf (Syria), Walid Ghoulmieh and Harout Fazelian (Lebanon), M. Othman Saddik (Jordan), A. Saidi (Egypt), E. Melkus, W. Groehs (Austria), A. Yeshlisham (Turkey), F. Reiting (Chile), D. Rudg (U.S.), G. Tchitchinadze (Georgia), R. Muti and A. Guaragna (Italy), M. Thomas (First clarinet at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra), Armen Babakhanian (Armenia) and Gloria Scalchi ( Italy).

The Orchestra has also produced musicians who have received international recognition and prizes, i.e. Kinan Azmeh (clarinet), Lubana Quntar (soprano), Talar Dekermenjian (soprano) and M. Othman (Bouzouq).

The SNSO had the honour to inaugurate the Dar Al Assad for Arts and Culture (The Damascus Opera House) conducted by Missak Baghboudarian and in the presence of H. E. the President of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The resident Conductor of the Orchestra since 2003 is Missak Baghboudarian.