08/07/2026
The Musicians, Staff, and Board of Directors of the Charleston Symphony extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Martha Rivers Ingram, a towering champion of music, the arts, and culture in Charleston, Nashville, and beyond.
Martha lived a life of purpose, generosity, and grace. Those who had the privilege of knowing her remember not only a remarkable philanthropist, but a woman of warmth, wisdom, and humility, with an abiding belief in the power of the arts to enrich lives and bring people together.
Nowhere is her Charleston legacy more visible than at the Gaillard Center. Martha envisioned a world-class, acoustically exceptional performing arts facility worthy of this city, and through her leadership and generosity, that vision became a reality with the opening of the newly transformed Gaillard Center in 2015. For our musicians and audiences, every note played in that extraordinary hall is part of Martha’s living legacy.
Her love of music was also deeply personal. Through Martha’s friendship with world-renowned cellist Zuill Bailey, the Charleston Symphony had the privilege of welcoming him as Artist-in-Residence last season - one of many ways her relationships and passion for the arts continue to enrich our organization and community.
We are profoundly grateful for Martha’s friendship, her generosity, and the enduring gift of her vision. Her impact on Charleston’s cultural life will be felt for generations to come.
Photo: Martha Rivers Ingram with cellist Zuill Bailey
Photographer: Alyona Photography
