Oct. 11, 2016: After a week of nailing up ply board, clearing outside furniture and loading up for evacuations, Rotarians assembled at the Harbor Club to celebrate their good fortune in being spared from the potential catastrophe of Hurricane Matthew. It was a fitting and perfect program to have as our guest speaker someone to talk about the magic and inspiration of arts—and of survival.
It was not long ago that the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was fighting for its life as the economic downturn dramatically impacted ticket sales. This difficult position was played out all over the country as arts organizations struggled for their very existence. Added to the challenge was the very long—although ultimately spectacular!—renovation of the Gaillard Center that kept local arts organizations out of their regular performing venue.
So how did the CSO survive and thrive to become one of the most respected symphonies in the country? The answer is, as usual, extraordinary leadership–the right person at the right time. In this case, the outstanding leadership of our speaker, Michael Smith, the Executive Director of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Continue reading “Michael Smith: Charleston Symphony Orchestra”