Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1919 and is a regional institution which covers the two Agder counties (Aust-Agder and Vest-Agder). The orchestra is based in Kristiansand and organises concerts on its own as well as participating widely in other productions, such as concerts and opera performances organised by other music organisations in the region of Aust- and Vest-Agder. Eighteen professional musicians, 80 per cent of the entire orchestra occupying the permanent positions, forms yet another music group, the Kristiansand Chamber Orchestra. The remaining 20 per cent are only part time, but they enable the chamber orchestra to perform scores for symphony orchestras.