The American Symphony Orchestra (ASO) records represent the activities of the Orchestra at various points throughout the organization’s history. In particular, the records document the founding and early development of the Orchestra from 1962 to 1966 and include administrative and operational records such as by-laws, minutes and memoranda, in addition to correspondence between the Orchestra’s founders and board of directors with private individuals and foundations regarding sponsorship and funding of the Orchestra. The young organization's publicity strategy is also recorded; internal memoranda, draft and published press releases and press clippings document the organization’s public relations activities.

Contained in the records are planning materials for specific seasons and concerts, the bulk of which relate to the inaugural season and the years 1984 to 1989. These records include proposed repertoires, rosters of orchestral personnel and correspondence with performance venues, particularly Carnegie Hall.

A significant portion of the material in the collection is programs and publications for both individual concerts and seasons as well as extended programs and magazines issued by venues and the ASO itself. This material includes stagebills and issues of the Carnegie Hall Program published on the occasion of specific ASO performances. The collection also contains issues of Dialogues and Extensions from 1992 to 2008, an expanded program guide published by the ASO that accompanied each concert series and provided audiences with critical analysis and historical context of the musical compositions to be performed with the aim of demystifying and enriching audiences’ experiences.

Finally, photographic and moving image material document specific events, personnel and concerts, particularly early concerts and receptions, the Orchestra’s music directors and guest conductors and soloists. One subseries contains VHS tapes recording the television appearances of Leon Botstein that include references to his role as the Orchestra’s Music Director.