Welcome Note

Welcome to Your CSO!

As the warmth of spring returns to Charlotte, I am reminded of the natural beauty and renewal this season brings. Just as flowers bloom in a symphony of colors, our Charlotte Symphony is experiencing a similar surge of vitality this month as many of our most exciting initiatives come to fruition.

April kicks off with a special joint performance with Johnson C. Smith University, a continuation of our valued partnership. Together we’ll present a musical tribute to resilience and empowerment, featuring Carlos Simon’s Portrait of a Queen , narrated by Dr. Shawn-Allyce White.

In the same week, we welcome back our Music Director Designate, Kwamé Ryan, who will lead the Orchestra in an inspiring program of works by Wang Jie, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. I hope you’ll join us for Maestro Ryan’s inaugural season as Music Director. You can explore details of the recently announced 2024–25 season on page 16 or at charlottesymphony.org

It also brings me great joy to welcome back Conductor Laureate Christopher Warren-Green as he leads the Orchestra and Charlotte Master Chorale in a program inspired by the sea.

And to close the month, we’re excited to launch CSO Roadshow — the Charlotte Symphony’s new mobile stage! In its first appearance on April 28, CSO musicians will perform alongside UltimaNota for the Latin American Coalition’s Música con amigos festival.

David Fisk, President & CEO