According to information in the “Chronicle of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra,” which is included in this collection, the roots of the contemporary Symphony lie in the St. Cecilia Orchestra, organized in 1917-1918. Mr. Leo Rucker was the first conductor, followed by Reese Vetch in 1918. By 1920, Ottokar Malek had taken over as conductor and enlarged the orchestra. He then removed it to Central High School, and the name changed to the Grand Rapids Civic Orchestra. After Mr. Malek’s death (April 24, 1923), Karl Wecker took the lead. Wecker was brought from Cincinnati to head the music program at the Grand Rapids Junior College, as well. He inherited from Malek an organization with a new constitution and plans to fund raise to support the organization.

In the mean time, another group had developed under Sherman Tuller, concertmaster, registering the name of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. The two groups were merged and reorganized under Wecker. The exact date of this is unclear.

Various individuals and organizations were prominent in their support for the development of the orchestra, from the members of St. Cecilia to the charter members of the Board of the Symphony Society in 1924/1925, formed for the ongoing financial support of the orchestra. These important figures are discussed fully in the Chronicle. Members of the orchestra received payment for their services for the first time during this season. However, this organization soon fell apart, and many of the musicians took positions elsewhere. Between 1926-1929, the official symphony ceased to exist.

The Symphony today documents its official beginning from the January 11, 1930 meeting to reorganize the Grand Rapids Symphony Society. James H. Sheppard was elected the president of the Society, serving successfully until October 1948. Since then no president has served longer than 5 years.

During the 1932-1933 season women supporters from the St. Cecilia Society organized the "Women’s Committee of the Grand Rapids Symphony.” Later, the Women’s Committee would develop its successful Design Showcase funding-raising tours.

The growing orchestra had moved to the Power Theatre for performances. On January 2, 1933, the new Civic Auditorium officially opened with a performance by the Symphony. In spite of the hardships of the depression this would remain the performing home of the organization for quite some time, with the exception of the WWII era, when the Army Weather School forced the orchestra’s move to the Keith Theatre.

In 1934 the National Emergency Relief Administration (NERA), supported a separate FERA orchestra in Grand Rapids, which also fed in musicians for the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. Later know as the WPA Federal Music Project, these funds supported orchestra members. The program brought talent to the area that might not otherwise have come to Grand Rapids. It also took talent away when, in 1940, during the orchestra’s 10th anniversary season, the FMP offered Wecker a position in California. Later he would conduct the Hollywood Bowl orchestra there.