The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Associates was originally established as The Women’s Committee of the Edmonton Symphony Society on January 28, 1953, as an independent organization from the Edmonton Symphony Society, but intended to cooperate with the Edmonton Symphony Society in every way to assure support for the orchestra. Mrs. Donovan Ferris was the Committee’s first president.

The Women’s Committee’s objectives were to promote and maintain a friendly understanding between the citizens of greater Edmonton and the Edmonton Symphony Society, to assist in obtaining a full subscription list for the Symphony season, to cooperate in all ways to promote and to perform liaison work for the Students’ concerts, to contribute from time to time to the Sustaining Fund of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, to cooperate with the Board of Directors of the Edmonton Symphony Society to further of the objectives of the Symphony and to further musical appreciation in Edmonton and throughout the district; these objectives were soon condensed to support the activities of the Edmonton Symphony Society, to contribute financially to the Edmonton Symphony Society, and to further musical appreciation in Greater Edmonton and District through educational projects. The latter was accomplished through collaboration with other arts groups and support for related projects such as the University of Alberta Music Department and the Edmonton Youth Orchestra.

In 1984, the name of the volunteer organization changed to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Associates, with membership including both men and women. The objectives remained to support the activities of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, to provide financial support for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and to continue to foster music appreciation.