Welcome to the home of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League, Inc. (CSOL®), the largest single financial contributor to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the premier orchestra in the Southeast. Our group of over 430 volunteers donates profits from a number of projects including the League’s Showhouse in the spring. Other events include an opening night gala, parties, car sponsorships, house tours in the fall, and the promotion of the cookbook, “Music, Menus and Magnolias.” For any questions about our organization,
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At the annual League luncheon, President Gwen Gilmore presented David Stahl, Music Director of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and CSO President Leo Fishman with a check for $150,000, bringing the League’s total gifts for the 2007-2008 concert season to $325,000. This figure does not include an additional $30,000 contributed to the Education and Scholarship Fund, which raises that figure to $355,000 in support of all symphony programs.

At the time of the presentation, the CSOL® Board for 2008-2009 was also announced. Executive Board members include: President, Tacy Edwards; VP Long Range Planning, Pat Benzien; VP Education, Sandra Gordon; VP Membership, Debora Brandt; VP Projects, Judy Boehm; Recording Secretary, Sue Ingram; Corresponding Secretary, Lucy Preyer; Treasurer, Janette Moody; Parliamentarian, Carol Lou Yaeger; and Past President, Gwen Gilmore.

CSOL® Standing Committee Chairs include: Advocacy, Judy Chitwood; Audience Development, Twila Jackson; ByLaws, Dottie Hardin; Hospitality, Jackie Cunningham; Membership, Susan Sanders; Newsletter, Barbara Brock; Public Relations, Carolyn Witte; and Web Site, Pat McKee.

Special Committee Chairs include: Car Sponsorship, Richard Show; Designer Showhouse, Carol Lou Yaeger; Gala, Janet Knorr; Merchandising, Caroline Thibault; Revels, Judy Obstbaum and Rebecca Bryan; David Stahl Celebration, Margaret Vann; and Kiawah Island House Tour, Julie Fenimore and Kitty Reid.

We are now kicking off our annual CSOL® membership drive for 2008-09. If you are interested in becoming a new League member, apply online here:    

If you are a current member, you can renew here:  

The League is pleased to announce the 2008 Opening Night Gala celebrating the 25th season of maestro David Stahl will be held September 27, 2008, so save the date. Festivities begin at 5:30 pm. You will not want to miss this evening filled with dining, dancing and music.

Look for the 2008-09 Revels events to be unveiled in September, 2008.
Clefs and Chefs events will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2008 and will include chamber music by the CSO musicians as well as food fare by area chefs at homes throughout the lowcountry.

The annual Symphony Island House Tour will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2008 on Kiawah Island, which is one of our major fundraisers. The 2008 House Tour will be held in conjunction with a new Music Festival. Music will fill the island throughout the day and culminate with a CSO concert at the Sanctuary. Details will be posted here as they develop. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please fill out our contact form.

Are you looking for a unique gift for someone special? Consider our own cookbook, "Music, Menus, & Magnolias", or some of the other gift items you can find in our online Boutique. Proceeds benefit our Charleston Symphony Orchestra, so we hope you'll consider purchasing one today. You can purchase it here online or click here to get a list of the fine shops in the Charleston, SC area who carry this wonderful cookbook.

Car Sponsorship Update: We are proud to announce the lucky number for the Car Sponsorship drawing was 0075, claimed by Dr. C. William Hipp of Charleston, SC. Look for the 2009 Car Sponsorship program unveiling in the fall at our 2008 Masterworks opening night Gala.