Austin Civic Orchestra

Among the oldest community orchestras in the country, the ACO was founded in 1977 by Mac Payne with sponsorship from the Austin Community Schools for the purpose of offering a recreational performing experience to musicians in the community. The organization started with a small group of string players that has since grown and evolved into the full symphonic orchestra it is today. The Orchestra's first public performance was on September 14, 1978 in the ballroom of the University of Texas Student Union.