The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra is the Emerald Coast’s premiere professional orchestra. The 65-piece ensemble performs an annual concert series from September to April on the main stage of the beautiful Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Performances include classics, family, pops and educational concerts, featuring internationally acclaimed guest soloists and emerging local talent.

The NFSO hosts the annual John Leatherwood Concerto Competition which awards scholarship money to junior, high school and collegiate division winners as well as the opportunity to perform with the orchestra in the yearly Stars of Tomorrow concert. The orchestra is also involved in a number of educational and community outreach initiatives including the Carnegie Hall Link-up concerts, which connect to schools throughout two local counties and hosts hundreds of students in an interactive concert every year at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center.