Conceived by Herman H. Rinne, a local music retail businessman and former member, the Philharmonic Orchestra began with three members in October 1940. Open to all who played an instrument, the organization grew until it claimed 31 musicians by April 1941. It established itself as one of the few symphonies that limits board membership to orchestra members. That same month, the orchestra held its first concert at .
During World War II, the Philharmonic performed only one or two concerts annually and donated proceeds to organizations such as the Navy Relief. In 1946, the group began performances outside Indianapolis, traveling to Danville and Anderson. The next year, it was incorporated under its present name. A decade later, LaVerne E. Newsome, the first violin, became the first African American member. The orchestra has provided scholarships and financially assisted its young players and continues to donate money above operating expenses to civic causes.
After the death of Rinne in 1949, the orchestra hired its first professional leader, Ernst Hoffman, who served as music director of the Indiana University Opera as well as the Philharmonic, although guest conductors occasionally have led the ensemble. The Philharmonic made its home in , , and over the years.
The group is based out of the Pike Performing Arts Center at Pike High School. However, it also performs at other locations such as the Central Library and Garfield Park. In addition, the orchestra members regularly interact with the youth of the local community through camps and side-by-side orchestra performances.
In the late 1990s, the orchestra formed a spin-off group known as the Symphonic Praise Choir. While this group’s formation came about to assist the Philharmonic in a Black History Month gospel performance, it has since gone on to produce its own separate performances. The partnered with the Philharmonic between 2004 and 2007, before becoming part of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Learning Community in 2008.
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