Charleston Symphony announces rebrand ahead of this weekend’s season premiere

The Charleston Symphony, South Carolina’s largest performing arts organization, announced the launch of a rebrand that includes a new logo, visual identity, and website. The Symphony premiered the new branding in time for the opening performance of its 82ndseason, Rach 3, this Friday and Saturday evening at the Gaillard Center.

In addition, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra will be unofficially shortening its name to just ‘Charleston Symphony.’ “We felt that dropping ‘orchestra’ from our name would make us feel a bit less intimidating,” said executive director Michael Smith. “Classical music at its heart is for everyone, and we wanted a brand that would match visually the quality of music that we provide to the community. We wanted something outgoing and inclusive.”

The Charleston Symphony hired local independent designer Ivan Lima to create the organization’s new look. “I was thrilled when the Symphony approached me to build their new visual identity,” Lima said of the creative partnership. “I wanted to create a brand that would reflect the symphony’s tradition within this city. The color palette comes from the official colors of historic Charleston, and the movement of the logo represents sound as well as the local landscape.”

The Charleston Symphony will open its 82nd season this Friday and Saturday with its Masterworks performance, Rach 3, featuring Rachmaninoff’s fiendishly difficult Piano Concerto No. 3, and Brahms Symphony No. 3.

The Pops season premieres next Saturday, September 29th, with A Tribute to Louis and Ella. Trumpeter/vocalist Byron Stripling returns to Charleston, joined by vocalist Carmen Bradford, to sing hits from the Great American Songbook. Pops and Masterworks performances begin at 7:30pm at the Gaillard Center.

Tickets and season subscriptions are currently on sale at CharlestonSymphony.org.