The Charleston Symphony Orchestra League, Inc. (CSOL), Charleston, South Carolina, inspires the love of live music by providing major financial support for the Charleston Symphony, investing in talented musicians of all ages, and advocating music appreciation throughout the Charleston Community.
Charleston’s musical history goes back to times prior to the American Revolution, and the city had a 30- member orchestra as early as 1819. However, the Civil War silenced the music, and it wasn’t until 1919 that orchestral music returned to Charleston. Four dedicated women, Maude Winthrop Gibbon, Martha Laurens Patterson, Marie Baker, and Mary V. McBee formed the Charleston Musical Society. In 1925, a second voluntary orchestral organization was founded by Theodore Wichmann, who also served as music director of the public schools and recruited his graduates.
The CSOL® is a 501(c)3 organization