The orchestra is a classically sized ensemble that is currently under the direction of Pinchas Zukerman. It plays often in Ottawa and has often travelled abroad.
The orchestra was founded in 1969 to take adavantage of the new National Arts Centre that was built in 1967. The building, in the heart of the nation's capital has four large halls, the largest of which is home to the orchestra.
In recent years there have been discussions about renaming the orchestra to the Canadian National Orchestra, as many feel that the group does not earn enough respect abroad with its current title.