The Pasadena Community Orchestra was founded in 1983 under the leadership of Conductor, Wayne Reinecke, and a committee made up of former members of the Pasadena City College Orchestra, which was discontinued from the college program in that year. Since that time the Community Orchestra has consistently performed five concerts a season, including a very popular Concert in the Park given annually in June and four regular season events presented in the Sanctuary of First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena. The orchestra is made up of 60 to 65 regular members from the greater Pasadena area, who volunteer their time and talent to bring great music to the area. Repertoire has included such works as Symphonies 1 and 8 by Beethoven, Symphonies 1, 3, 4, and 5 by Tchaikovsky, Symphonies by Mendelssohn, Schumann and Amy Beach, horn concertos by Mozart and Strauss, piano concertos by Beethoven, Schumann, Saint-Saens and Mendelssohn, violin concertos by Haydn, Vieuxtemps, Bruch, and Beethoven, and cello concertos by Elgar, Dvorak, and Saint-Saens.

In addition to serving the community by providing playing opportunity for serious musicians and presenting concerts free to the public, the Pasadena Community Orchestra has promoted music for young people in its presentation of "Musical Chairs" programs for children. The Orchestra has also sponsored an annual Young Artist Competition in which the winner, in addition to receiving a cash award, is given the opportunity to perform a major work with orchestral accompaniment. Some of these young people have gone on to successful careers in the music world. Winners of the contest have included pianists, cellists, violinists, flutists, and a xylophonist.

For the past few years a new program of a concert honoring Seniors Citizens has been incorporated into the orchestra's offerings. That event includes a special concert preview and recognition of a senior citizen of the community who has made special contributions to the orchestra or to the music of the area.

The Orchestra is a non-profit organization supported by donations from individuals and companies that recognize the importance of continuing the great tradition of music in the community for both players and performers. A Board of Directors which meets regularly to oversee the general welfare of the Orchestra in conjunction with the members of the Orchestra take an active part in fundraising through donations, special concerts, and other projects such as raffles.