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.”

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. In June the CSOL contributed an additional $10,000, bringing the total for the season to $335,000.This figure does not include an additional $30,000 contributed to the Education and Scholarship Fund, which raises that figure to $365,000 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.

Our annual CSOL® membership drive for 2008-09 is in full swing. If you are interested in becoming a new League member, apply online here:    

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

Make plans for A Russian Soiree!

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s 2008-2009 season will open with a bang on Saturday, September 27th with the Opening Night Gala titled “A Russian Soiree” and our first Masterworks Concert, conducted by David Stahl, featuring Tchaikovsky’s “Overture 1812” and Prokofiev’s “Alexander Nevsky.”

Get ready for a dazzling evening by attending an invitation-only fashion show at Saks Fifth Avenue on September 4th to select your night’s attire. If you would like an invitation, click the Contact Us button above. Seating for the fashion show is limited, so make your reservation now.

“A Russian Soiree” will start with cocktails at 5:30, sponsored by our friends at Lexus of Charleston, and music provided by the Cobblestone Jazz Trio during the Silent Auction which will feature a treasure trove of items fit for a czar. Following the concert, guests will be treated like royalty with an elegant evening of great food, music and dancing, plus “lots of glam!”

Call your friends, gather your party, and make reservations at $150 per person. And remember that you are welcome to sponsor one, two, or more CSO musicians to complete your table of 10. Our Opening Night Gala is a longstanding tradition in Charleston, a wonderful night to kick up your heels or kick back with friends, as we all celebrate the beginning of another exciting season of fine music with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

Look for the 2008-09 Revels events to be unveiled in September, 2008. Revels has a new look and includes fun, social events planned throughout the season.

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 2008 Symphony Island House Tour and Music Festival will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2008 on Kiawah Island. This event is one of our major fundraisers, so please consider supporting this event. As you tour six outstanding private homes, music will fill the island throughout the day and culminate with a CSO concert at the Sanctuary after the homes are closed. If you'd like to spend the weekend on Kiawah, local resorts are offering attractive special packages. Click here for details and ticket sales information. Online sales are now available.

Questions?

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, courtesy of Lexus of Charleston.