The OSFL is organized under the auspices of Corning-Elmira Musical Arts, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which oversees the activities of the OSFL, the Chorus of the Southern Finger Lakes, the Youth Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, the Junior String Ensemble, and the Doreen B. Hertzog Concerto/Aria Competition.

Created with the merger of two regional orchestras, the Corning Philharmonic and the Elmira Symphony, the OSFL has been thrilling audiences throughout the Twin Tiers since 1995 with the mission of providing live classical music to the region.