Staff Report
Published June 15, 2010

A fourth public forum focusing on the future of symphonic music in Charleston has been added to the series schedule announced earlier this month by the College of Charleston, the Coastal Community Foundation and the Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts.

The fourth forum will be in the evening on June 22. The three forums announced previously take place during the day on June 16, 21 and 22.

The forums are open to the public. Attendees must register here.

The forums come as the Charleston Symphony Orchestra works to restructure operations in a way that makes the organization more sustainable in the future. The organization struggled financially for years, and this past spring leaders announced they were suspending the season because of a cash shortage.

Groups organizing the forums say the gatherings are meant to educate the public about the resources needed to fund a symphony and to solicit feedback on the type of symphony the Charleston community is willing to support.

Dianne Culhane, former creative director for Coca-Cola Co., will lead the conversations at the fourms. Attendees will be able to participate in small discussion groups focused on different aspects of the future of symphonic music in Charleston.

After the forums, a steering committee for the effort will compile recommendations for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

The steering committee will be co-chaired by College of Charleston President George Benson and Blackbaud President Marc Chardon. 

Other members of the steering committee are Nella G. Barkley, board chair of the Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts; Tony Bland, director, Merrill Lynch; Leah Greenberg, civic leader; Martha Rivers Ingram, chairwoman, Spoleto Festival USA; Burton Schools, former president of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra; and George Stevens, president, Coastal Community Foundation.

Public forums are scheduled for the following dates:

Wednesday, June 16
9 a.m.-Noon (doors open at 8:30 a.m.)
College of Charleston
Stern Student Center, Fourth Floor
71 George St., Charleston

Monday, June 21
1-3 p.m. (doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
Church of our Savior

4416 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island

Tuesday, June 22
10 a.m.-Noon (doors open at 9:30 a.m.)
Church of the Holy Cross

299 Seven Farms Dr., Daniel Island

Tuesday, June 22
6:30-8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)

Location has not yet been determined, but organizers plan for it to be in or near downtown Charleston. Those who register will be sent an e-mail with the location once it is set.

Previous coverage
Three groups plan public forums on symphonic music in Charleston
Out of cash, Charleston Symphony Orchestra suspends operations
Orchestra musicians say shutdown violates labor agreement
Symphony musicians reject deal for shortened 2011 season