Peoria Symphony Orchestra: A Regional Outlet for Classical Music in Contemporary Society The Peoria Symphony Orchestra has provided classical music to central Illinois for over a century. Each year it presents a world-class program of music to large, diverse audiences. Such renowned soloists as Itzhack Perlman, Benny Goodman, and Jerry Hadley have played with the Symphony’s 85-member ensemble. Inspired by "the love of music," Dr. Harold Plowe founded the symphony in 1897. Dr. Plowe was truly a Renaissance man. He was a trained musician, teacher, instrument technician, astronomer, and telescope-maker