The Symphony Orchestra of the Karol Szymanowski Primary and Secondary Music School in Wrocław plays a central role in both the school’s educational and artistic life and the broader musical landscape of the city. Over the years, it has been conducted by a number of distinguished figures, including Stanisław Krukowski, Mieczysław Gawroński and Wojciech Rodek. Since 2008, the orchestra has been under the direction of Marcin Grabosz.
From the outset, the ensemble has accompanied the school’s most accomplished graduating students in their diploma performances, which take place at major concert venues in Wrocław, including the National Forum of Music, the Polish Radio Large Studio, and the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music. The orchestra has also twice appeared in the fringe programme of the Wratislavia Cantans Festival.
In 1995, the ensemble took part in the filming of The Rainy Soldier, directed by Wiesław Saniewski. In 1998, it performed Hadrian Filip Tabęcki’s Polish Mass at the 19th Review of Stage Song – a concert broadcast on national television. Between 1999 and 2002, the orchestra gave numerous performances in Germany. In 2005, it appeared twice at the Wrocław Philharmonic as part of the Spring Day in Europe and the Classic Premiere Festival. It returned to the Philharmonic in 2007 for a commemorative concert titled Szymanowski in Memoriam.
The orchestra has also embraced less conventional projects, including a 2009 appearance at the Wrocław Days of Fantasy, where it performed music from the Star Wars films.
In 2022, the ensemble collaborated with 470 choral singers for the world premiere of Muzykopedia by Krzysztof Domański at the National Forum of Music.