As the largest full-time performing arts organization in South Carolina, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is a central component in the rich cultural foundation of this region. A partner in weaving the cultural fabric of the City of Charleston since 1936, the CSO attracts an audience of over 100,000 people annually. The mission of the CSO is to promote the enjoyment and appreciation of music among visitors and the peoples of the Tri-County region and to make music a vital part of the area's cultural life. The CSO's education programs include Kinder Konzerts, Family Concerts, Young People's Concerts, In School ensembles, and the Youth Orchestra of the Lowcountry.