The LSO is part of the Arts in Health program, which brings the world of art and music to Michigan Medicine. Now in its 20th season, the LSO plays two concerts a year at Hill Auditorium, drawing more than 1,000 community members and friends and family of the extended University of Michigan life sciences community.

The orchestra was founded in fall of 2000 by a small group of musicians and artists at the University of Michigan Medical School and the U-M Hospitals and Health Centers. The concept was to provide a performance outlet for the many faculty, staff, students, alumni and volunteers in life science disciplines at the university who had previous musical training but few opportunities to play.

The LSO offers musicians in the life sciences an opportunity to play in a large ensemble, while building a sense of community across the different components of the life sciences on the University of Michigan campus. It also offers conducting students from U-M’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance an opportunity to lead a full symphony orchestra in preparing and playing major works of the classical repertoire.