In 1963 some sixty singers from local Methodist churches banded together to form the Northside Choral Society, and the first concert for the choir in August of that year was a broadcast performance on 2CH of Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise. With the foundation of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra in 1965 a natural partnership was born. The Choir’s name change reflected that, becoming the Willoughby Symphony Choir in 1973. Although the choir and orchestra remain independent entities, they are inextricably linked through their proud history of collaboration and indeed both exist under the auspices of the City of Willoughby. For many years resident in the old Chatswood Civic Centre, the home venue for both ensembles is now the world-class Concourse Theatre, one of Australia’s finest concert halls.

Willoughby Symphony Choir is now widely recognised as the one of Australia's finest community choirs. The schedule of upwards of eight concerts a year reflects the choir’s dual role as a performing ensemble in its own right, and as the symphonic chorus for the WSO.

Willoughby Symphony Choir also performs at community functions such as the Willoughby Spring Festival and Carols in the Park, as well as maintaining links with rural areas of NSW such as Orange and Bathurst. The Choir has performed regularly in popular music concerts at the Sydney Opera House and in 2008 conducted a successful tour of Europe.

Drawing from a singing membership of 130, every year sees the choir perform the major choral masterworks, as well as occasional forays into surprising pop and jazz repertoire. The choir also makes regular recordings and broadcasts.