The Multiple Roles the Charleston Symphony Plays in the Life of Its City and State

In Sunday’s (9/14) Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina), Michael A. Smith, CEO of the Charleston Symphony, writes, “At the Charleston Symphony, we believe music is essential to the cultural, economic and emotional vibrancy of our city. Last season, we presented over 75 concerts and special events at more than a dozen venues throughout the Lowcountry. These performances helped stimulate the Charleston economy while supporting hundreds of local jobs, from musicians and stagehands to technicians and hospitality workers. In bringing together and uplifting more than 60,000 community members, our concerts infused energy into local restaurants, hotels, and small businesses across the region. The value of live music extends far beyond its economic impact—it fuels inspiration, brings people together and strengthens the human spirit…. Our audiences come together as strangers and leave as a community, bound by the shared experience. As our city continues to grow, we are growing with it—not just in size, but in relevance and reach…. The future of Charleston’s cultural legacy depends on the young minds we inspire today. That’s why we invest deeply in education and outreach—to make music accessible to every corner of our community and to nurture the next generation of artists, audiences and arts advocates.”