1940's

First Schools Concerts given by Sir Bernard Heinz.

1947

First Youth Concerts given for people 25 years and under.

1960

First Babies Proms introduced by Dean Dixon.

1985

Teacher focus group for Schools Concert's formed.

1987

First full time Education officer for the orchestra appointed; first secondary education kit produced.

1989

Schools concerts tailored to individual age group music syllabi; first primary kit produced.

1990

Meet the Music kits co produced with support from the Department of Education;

James Fairfax Young Artist program begins under directorship of John Hopkins.

1991

First schools performances in Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Ultimo Centre.

1992

Richard Gill appointed as Artistic Director of the Sydney Symphony Education Program.

1993

Pre-concert talks for Meet the Music introduced.

1994

Repertoire for Schools Concerts produced on CD for the first time; Professional Learning seminars introduced and first Playerlink workshop.

1995

Meet the Music resources focus now supporting the HSC music syllabus.

1997

Sydney Sinfonia, a national mentoring orchestra began pilot program.

1999

First Sydney Sinfonia regional tour of schools concerts to Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst.

2000

First Series of Adult Themes (now Discovery) held in City Recital Hall, Angel Place.

2001

Sydney Symphony Fellowship program introduced for 5 players.

2002

Professional learning workshops and resources now provided for all schools concerts.

2005

First Schools Concerts held at Sydney Olympic Park.

2006

First Sinfonietta composition project offered nationally to talented young composers.

2007

First Sinfonietta composition project teaching resource devised for national classroom implementation

2009

New initiative The Whitlams Meet the Orchestra schools concert in the Sydney Opera House.

2010

The Schools Composition Challenge devised for inclusion in the schools concerts;

Accreditation of all SSO Professional Learning by the NSW Institute of Teaching.

First Interstate Professional Learning workshops delivered in Melbourne and Hobart

2011

First Schools Concerts held for high school students in City Recital Hall, Angel Place.

First International education outreach program held as part of the orchestra's tour to Korea.

2012

First digital workshops delivered to teachers and students;

First Professional Learning workshops presented in Perth and Brisbane;

Sydney Symphony and Xinghai Conservatory of Music (China) form a partnership, with a pilot orchestral masterclass program in October.