The Philharmonia made its debut in the Summer of 1993 as a group formed in support of the Music Arts Scholarship Fund Drive. The orchestra was then called Oak Ridge Community Orchestra and its first conductor, Philip Hansen, was a Music Arts faculty member and a conducting student of Kirk Trevor as well as principal cellist of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. In 1996 the orchestra decided to rehearse year-round, making the group Oak Ridge's only all year orchestra. A long term goal was fulfilled in 1997 when the group was granted full membership in the Oak Ridge Arts Council. A second goal was reached in 1998 when the orchestra gained nonprofit status, finishing the framework for the orchestra's current operations.

The orchestra has been throughout the years a focal point in the cultural life of the Oak Ridge Community. It has performed in the High School Auditorium, the First Methodist Church, Roane State College and many other venues in the city. It has participated yearly in the Secret City Festival with a rehearsal open to the public and showcasing the community’s musical talents. More recently, it has been invited to participate in the Dogwoods Arts Festival.

The Philharmonia has collaborated with many outstanding soloists such as Ilia Steinschneider, Bernadette Lo, Daniel Webb, Kathryn Frady, Taylor Stone, April Hill, Ryan Colbert, Marshall Rollins, Dallas Norton, Mattia D’Affuso, Dr. Chih-Long Hu and many others besides engagements with choirs. Previous conductors include Stacy Taylor (1995-2005), John Pippen (2006-2008), William Burkhardt (2011-2014), Gabriel Leifkowitz (2014-2015) and Dr. Marcelo Urias (2009-2010 and 2015-present).