Although founded under its present name in 1973, the Wandsworth Symphony Orchestra can trace its history back to a group which met at the Putney Literary Institute in 1918.

 

In April 2014 the orchestra appointed a new Musical Director and Conductor, Leigh O'Hara – a distinguished pianist, percussionist, and teacher – following the retirement of Keith Stent. In spring 2014 a gala Farewell Concert took place, to mark Keith's retirement after directing the society since September 1973 (and its original evening institute class feeder group the Mayfield & Putney Symphony Orchestra for over 10 years before that). The concert included Beethoven's Egmont Overture and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, featuring pianist Mitra Alice Tham.