Press Release
The Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) today announced a new partnership with the MUSC Health to provide COVID-19 testing and safety oversight for its 2020-2021 performance season.
This season the Charleston Symphony recognizes one of the world's most prolific composers, Ludwig van Beethoven, in honor of the 250th anniversary of his birth. While so many orchestras and arts organizations across the country have been forced to close their doors this year due to the pandemic, the CSO has been able to continue serving its audiences thanks to the MUSC team of administrative and medical professionals. In addition to providing guidance and safety protocols for rehearsals and performances, MUSC organizes and administers the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing for more than 70 musicians and event staff before every CSO concert.
“I am so grateful for our partnership with MUSC,” said Michael Smith, Executive Director of the Charleston Symphony. “It was clear that the only way to deliver on the safety objective was to partner with healthcare professionals to oversee our protocols as well as to provide testing. MUSC agreed to provide both the testing and the oversight without hesitation. Because of MUSC's amazing commitment to our community, the Charleston Symphony has been able to continue lifting the spirits of the public through music at a time when everyone needs joy and hope more than ever. We applaud their leadership and their entire team for their tireless work to keep our community safe during this pandemic.”
As we continue to fight this virus, it's important that we help businesses with COVID testing and safety protocol support. We are pleased to provide these services to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra,” said Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., MUSC Health CEO and vice president Medical Affairs, University. “Testing provides a level of comfort for individuals who want to engage safely in community activities as well as important information about the prevalence of the virus in our local community.”
As part of the new partnership, CSO ensembles will perform for MUSC Health's care team members and patients at various sites throughout the hospital campus this week:
