The Jena Philharmonic Orchestra plays an important and indispensable role in the cultural life of the city of Jena and Thuringia with pure joy of playing and full musical commitment. As the largest pure concert orchestra in the Free State of Thuringia, it is increasingly becoming a national and international figurehead. Its diverse program, ranging from chamber concerts to major symphony concerts, includes the Mahler-Scartazzini cycle, which runs for several years, and world-renowned soloists, for example as part of the annually changing Artists in Residence. A unique feature of the Jena Philharmonic is its three associated choirs: the Philharmonic Choir, Madrigal Circle and Boys' Choir.

The home of the Jena Philharmonic Orchestra is the Volkshaus, opened in 1903, with its magnificent Ernst Abbe Hall. Opening up the orchestra's work to the city is a particular concern of the Jena Philharmonic Orchestra. By profiling offers for a wide variety of target groups, numerous special concert formats have been created in recent years that stand for diversity, experimentation and the desire for unusual collaborations and show a young, extremely committed orchestra in constant motion. With its performances at various venues in the city, such as the Volksbad, Kassablanca or TRAFO, as well as the annual ArenaOuvertüre on the Lobeda-West fairground, the Jena Philharmonic Orchestra is in constant dialog with the people of its city.