Charleston Symphony announces $1 million endowment gift
October 25, 2026
A friendship spanning decades will help generations of Lowcountry children discover and make music. The Charleston Symphony (CSO) announces a $1 million endowment gift from philanthropist and business leader Ernst Volgenau honoring his longtime friend and business partner, former CSO Board President Ted Legasey.
The gift will establish two endowed funds of $500,000 each: one supporting the newly named Legasey Young People’s Concerts and the other creating the Legasey Scholarship Fund. Together, they will introduce thousands of students to live orchestral music and help promising young musicians to continue their studies.
“At a critical moment for the Symphony, Ted made difficult decisions that laid the foundation for the success we enjoy today,” said Michael Smith, CEO of the Charleston Symphony. “Ernst’s generosity honors that leadership by helping young people discover music and pursue opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.”
Opening doors through music
The Legasey Young People’s Concerts fund will support the Symphony’s Young People’s Concerts, presented with the Charleston Gaillard Center using Carnegie Hall’s Link Up curriculum. Nearly 6,000 students from more than 40 schools participate annually, preparing in their classrooms before singing and playing instruments alongside the orchestra.
For many, it is their first encounter with a live symphony. Complimentary admission and transportation assistance help students from Title I schools and underserved communities take part. The endowment will help sustain this opportunity for future generations of students.
The Legasey Scholarship Fund will establish scholarships and mentorship opportunities for young musicians in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. Students will be selected through competitive auditions that consider musical potential and demonstrated financial need.
Awards may support private lessons, summer programs, intensive study, instruments, and college music education. The program is expected to serve five to fifteen students annually, depending on their needs and available funding. CSO musicians and local educators will help identify and mentor recipients, connecting financial assistance with guidance as students develop their talents. The fund will complement the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League’s long standing support for young musicians.
Honoring a legacy of leadership
During the Great Recession, Legasey helped guide the Symphony through financial challenges that threatened its future. As board president, he championed a sustainable operating model built around a core of full-time professional musicians, disciplined financial management, and the flexibility to expand as community support grew.
His leadership helped create the foundation for an orchestra that could pursue artistic excellence while serving more people through education and community partnerships. Volgenau’s gift carries that work forward, connecting a personal tribute to lasting opportunities for young people.
“Charleston is experiencing an artistic renaissance, and the Symphony has a responsibility to help people throughout our community participate in it,” said Woody Kerr, president of the CSO Board of Directors. “Ernst’s gift honors Ted’s leadership by helping children discover the orchestra and giving young musicians the support to take their next step.”
About the Charleston Symphony
Founded in 1936, the Charleston Symphony (CSO) reaches 70,000 adults and children through 160 performances and educational events annually. Guided by a mission of service and a mandate for excellence, the CSO inspires and unites the Lowcountry through the transformative power of live music.
Sustained community support and disciplined financial stewardship have allowed the CSO to invest in performances, expand education programs, and deepen community outreach. Since 2013, its annual operating budget has grown from approximately $1.3 million to nearly $7 million. Over the past three years, the Annual Fund has increased from $2 million to more than $3 million. In 2025, the CSO surpassed the $15 million goal of its inaugural endowment campaign, further strengthening its ability to serve the community and future generations.
With audiences up 85% since just before the pandemic and its Carnegie Hall debut in 2025, the CSO continues to build on its artistic achievements while creating more opportunities for people across the Lowcountry to experience live music. Learn more at charlestonsymphony.org.
