The Association of Major Symphony Orchestra Volunteers first met in St. Louis in 1937. The stated objective was a free interchange of ideas, methods and experiences growing out of symphony volunteer efforts. The organization was originally named the Women's Association for Symphony Orchestras.

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Those present at the initial gathering included members of the Executive Board of the Women's Association of the St. Louis Symphony Society plus twelve delegates from committees representing Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Rochester and Seattle. 

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The group was formally established as a nonprofit corporation in the State of Pennsylvania in 1967, under the revised name of Association of Major Symphony Orchestra Volunteers (AMSOV). It received its official designation as a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in the United States that same year.

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Today, membership includes over 40 volunteer organizations associated with 19 major symphony orchestras across North America.

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The biennial conference has been a feature of AMSOV since 1937.