Charleston Symphony Orchestra

The Symphony’s presence contributes greatly to the cultural life and artistic vitality of the community, while making an organizational economic impact exceeding $6.5 million annually. The artistic vision of the CSO is to be recognized for both performance and presentation of the highest quality music and to engage and enrich people regardless of age, race, or economic status by exploring, experiencing, and creating classical music.

The COVID-19 crisis has been detrimental to performing arts organizations across the world, and the Charleston Symphony has not been spared.

The CSO’s innovative business model has allowed the orchestra to present more than 150 concerts and activities annually throughout the greater Charleston area, providing the community with major masterpieces, lively and accessible Pops concerts, intimate chamber performances, holiday recitals, education and family experiences, complimentary community performances, and more.

Last year the CSO’s board adopted a new strategic plan with specific goals intended to help advance and strengthen the orchestra over the next several years. Unfortunately, the current pandemic will most likely force the organization’s priorities to shift next season. As of June 2020, the CSO is dedicated to implementing robust alternative plans to begin the 2020-2021 performance season to continue meeting our supporters’ expectations of delivering the Charleston Symphony experience through quality performances, while providing safe environments for patrons, musicians, and staff.

Additionally, the CSO’s core education programs include Musicians in Schools, the Young People’s Concerts, and the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra and Youth Strings ensembles. The CSO removes barriers to access, such as cost and transportation, to ensure every student can experience a comprehensive education and can be introduced to classical music in their own learning environment.

The CSO offers education programs ranging from introductory in-school performances and instructive demonstrations, to advanced orchestral work and weekly mentoring for the region's most talented youth.

The CSO employs 24 “core” musicians who are full-time salaried professionals. The organization supplements performances with regular guest musicians from across the country, bringing hundreds of musicians of the highest caliber to the Lowcountry.

By investing more than $500,000 in education and outreach programming, the CSO will connect students to the academic, social, and developmental benefits that musical education provides. Without the CSO’s education programs, many students would otherwise not have the opportunity to learn about musical instruments or experience live classical music.

The Charleston Symphony’s core musicians made a cumulative annual fund gift of $5,000 to show their support of the organization during the COVID-19 crisis. In response, the CSO challenged the community to match their generosity for the newly created #GivingTuesdayNow on May 5. Not only did the organization exceed the matching goal on May 5, but the CSO is proud to announce this donation from the musicians inspired the administrative team to give back and we achieved 100% staff giving.