Epsom Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1951 by John Gale, his wife and three children, John, Jocelyn and Gwendoline (who were all keen string players). John Gale's son, originally a viola player, conducted the orchestra for twenty years until he handed over to Derek Lucas, who had previously been the orchestra’s prinicpal clarinet. Derek conducted the orchestra for the next ten years. In 1982 Darell Davison was appointed musical director and remains the orchestra’s conductor.

Over the years many well known soloists have appeared with the orchestra. Performers include, in the early days: Cyril Smith and Phyllis Sellick; Eileen Joyce and Semprini. Later on soloists included John Lill (joint winner of the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow) and the clarinettist Gervase de Peyer. Internationally acclaimed soloists to play with the orchestra in more recent seasons have included Philip Dyson; Alan Brown; Marilyn Hill-Smith; Andrew Haveron; Madelaine Mitchell; Tim Hugh and David Pyatt. The orchestra particularly enjoyed its long association with Johnny Morris, who sadly died in 1999.

In 2001 the orchestra celebrated its 50th birthday.