Over recent years, the arts scene in Austin has grown noticeably, but one of the anchors of that movement is classical in nature.

The Austin Symphony Orchestra has been a full-sized symphony since October 1957, the year it was officially designated after several musicians started meeting regularly.

Longtime member Marge Dunlap remembers how it all came together after a simple gesture during a rehearsal.

“We had a group that was playing and we were practicing and John Madura stood up and said, ‘Why don’t we start our own symphony,’” Dunlap related.

Since that moment the ASO has been a major part of the Austin music and art scene, playing on special occasions in Austin along with its own schedule.

In its own way, the symphony acts like a bridge for the community, as it brings in players not just from Austin, but from the surrounding area.

“It’s just a way of connecting with people and that’s what I kind of enjoyed about it,” said current ASO president and participating member Morgan Dickman. “I’ve been able to connect with so many people in this community that I never thought I would. It’s our love for this kind of music.”

In the 61 seasons since its inception, the ASO has strived to bring a classical experience to Austin, never once straying from the path of playing the pieces fans of thew genre have come to love.

Its players are from all walks of life, but ASO has also been at the center of the musical universe in Austin, giving other groups like the MacPhail Center of Music something to build on. It’s provided a base on which to build.

“[It’s] culture and tradition and music — classical music of course,” said Sue Grove, ASO board member.

A clear example of building that base is the ASO’s effect on the younger players. Over the years the group has actively encouraged younger members, particularly those in school, to try out for the symphony.

That starts with a long-standing tradition of allowing kids to see the shows for free.

“I think one of the brilliant things we do is that October concert at the high school,” Grove said. “[It’s] keeping classical music alive for another generation. All the kids can come free to our concerts.”

Phil Burkhart has also been a longtime member of the ASO, playing both trombone and percussion after moving here in 1982. In 1988, he conducted the symphony for six seasons before taking some time off and then returning.

For Burkhart, one of the joys of the symphony is watching the younger generations become more involved.

“It’s a special privilege to see these kids blossom and then play in the orchestra,” he said. “Not only the soloists, but kids that sit in the section and play this professional level music. I take great pleasure in seeing the way kids grow and mature through the symphony, because it challenges them so much.”

Another aspect of the symphony and its lasting impact on Austin is the caliber of talent they bring in to perform with the group.

Italian pianist Robert Plano, who is an instructor at Boston University, has played with the symphony. Konstantin Soukhovetski, a Russian pianist living in New York, has also taken part. Both have played on multiple occasions with the ASO.

Having talents such as these is another way of garnering the interest for both those wishing to play and those who might attend the shows.

“That’s why we bring in all these extra people,” Dunlap said. “To get them excited about it.”

However, a symphony is only as good as its conductor and the ASO has had several standout conductors along the way.

Stephen J. Ramsey is the current conductor of the ASO and is in his 22nd year on the podium. His impact on the musicians and the symphony as one body has been evident to all who know him.

[Stephen] has done a great job with the symphony,” Burkhart said. “His musicianship and commitment to excellence is inspirational.”

The ASO is near the end of its 2017-2018 season with the final show, featuring violinist Sarah Chang, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, at Knowlton Auditorium.

While the symphony excitedly prepares for the show with their guest, many can look back to the part the ASO has played in Austin as a part of the ever-growing arts scene in this southeast Minnesota community.

“I feel like [the community] needs to experience the symphony because it is — you kind of get the best of both worlds,” Dickman said. “You have the grand scale of what going to the symphony is like, but at the same time you’re just kind of sitting at home and you are able to experience it.”

Austin Symphony Orchestra featuring Sarah Chang

When: 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, at Knowlton Auditorium

Sarah Chang has been recognized as one of the foremost violinists today, performing with several orchestras, conductors and accompanists from around the world for more than two decades.

At the age of eight she debuted with the New York Philharmonic.