Charleston Symphony Orchestra Receives $1 Million Gift

A new endowment honoring former board president Ted Legasey supports youth music education and scholarships.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Philanthropy

Charleston Symphony Orchestra Receives $1 Million Gift

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The Charleston Symphony Orchestra has received a $1 million endowment gift from donor Ernst Volgenau. The funds will establish the Legasey Young People's Concerts and the Legasey Scholarship Fund.

Why it matters

This endowment recognizes the leadership of former board president Ted Legasey, who guided the orchestra through financial challenges during the late 2000s. It ensures long-term support for youth education and accessibility to classical music across the region.

The donation creates two $500,000 endowment funds to support 5 to 15 students annually through the Legasey Scholarship Fund. This builds upon existing youth initiatives that currently serve 6,000 students from more than 40 schools.

The players

Ernst Volgenau

He is the donor who provided the $1 million endowment gift to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

Ted Legasey

He served as the Charleston Symphony Orchestra board president during the late 2000s and is the namesake for the new endowment funds.

The details

The gift splits into two $500,000 funds dedicated to the Young People's Concerts, held at the Gaillard Center, and a scholarship program for students in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. Recipients for the scholarship will be selected based on their musical potential and financial need through a competitive audition process.

Late 2000s: Ted Legasey served as board president during a period of financial challenges.
October 22, 2026: The Charleston Symphony Orchestra officially announced the $1 million endowment gift.

Market Landscape

This endowment follows a period of stability that marks a departure from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra's financial restructuring in the late 2000s. The influx of capital strengthens the organization's regional position against other non-profit arts entities competing for community support.

Families in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties now have access to a new scholarship program for students with demonstrated musical potential and financial need. Participating students will also have continued access to educational performance opportunities at the Gaillard Center.

The takeaway

Large-scale endowment gifts provide organizations with the permanent capital necessary to expand youth access to the arts. Interested students and families should monitor the orchestra for future announcements regarding audition windows for the new scholarship program.