Hilton Head Choral Society Commences 50th Season

The Hilton Head Choral Society proudly announces the concert schedule for the 2025-26 season, marking five decades of musical excellence and tradition. This milestone year will feature special concerts celebrating the Choral Society’s 50th anniversary while highlighting its rich history and lasting impact on the Lowcountry community.

The Hilton Head Choral Society’s 50th Anniversary season includes the following concerts taking place at First Presbyterian Church:

 “Celebrate Unity” – Friday, September 26, 2025 at 7 p.m.

 This concert will feature renowned American composer, conductor and recordist, Z. Randall Stroope. The Choral Society will premiere an original keynote piece commissioned from Stroope especially for the HHCS anniversary celebration. Stroope has conducted concerts in 26 countries and published over 200 musical works! Throughout a variety of moving pieces, the 75-voice chorus will rise and fall in harmony, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is sure to stir your heart. Concertgoers will be invited to a reception after the concert in honor of the 50th Anniversary.

 “Celebrate the Holidays” – Friday, December 5, 2025 at 7 p.m.

 This December, join us for an enchanting evening that brings together cherished seasonal traditions and beloved contemporary holiday classics. Accompanied by special guest performers, the Hilton Head Choral Society will fill the air with warmth, joy, and the unmistakable magic of the season. In celebration of our founding in 1975, the program will feature selections from Handel’s Messiah, honoring our rich musical legacy. Come and experience the unifying spirit of music during the most wonderful time of the year.

 “Celebrate Renewal” – Friday, March 27, 2026 at 7 p.m.

 Spring renewal is a time of transformation and awakening when nature sets an impressive example of resilience. Beyond the natural world, spring renewal is symbolic for personal growth and optimism. This concert will feature many favorite pieces and special performers from the past plus fresh seasonal

selections that you will love, as you join with us as we step into our next 50 years!

“Celebrate America!” -Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Wrapping up this commemorative season, we invite you to our Celebrate America concert. On the day before Memorial Day, the Choral Society will pay tribute to those in the armed services who fought valiantly for the freedoms we continue to enjoy. Memorial Day 2026 is part of the broader “America 250” celebrations marking our country’s 250th anniversary! This special program will include guest musicians and speakers for an inspiring event and grand finale to our anniversary season.

In addition to the four concert line-up, the HHCS will host the Vienna Boys Choir in a double-evening presentation at Lowcountry Community Church, 801 Buckwalter Pkwy, Bluffton:

The Hilton Head Choral Society Presents The Vienna Boys Choir – Monday, Feb. 23 + Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 at 7 p.m.

One of the most famous choirs in the world, the Vienna Boys Choir has been enchanting audiences for centuries with their pure & pristine sound and charming performance style. These gifted musicians with voices of unforgettable beauty are a beloved institution, presenting a diverse array of vocal music that appeals to audiences of all ages. 

A LEGACY OF COMMUNITY & SONG

The Hilton Head Choral Society is the island’s longest-running performing arts organization, with a legacy dating back to 1976. Founded by Martha Gregory with a vision of presenting Handel’s Messiah, the group’s inaugural performance—funded by a $500 grant from the Hilton Head Institute of the Arts—was such a success it evolved into an annual island tradition. Over the decades, HHCS has grown into a beloved nonprofit that welcomes singers of all experience levels, building community through music and camaraderie.

Following Martha Gregory’s founding leadership, HHCS entered a dynamic period of growth under several influential directors. In the late 1980s, husband-and-wife team John Carter and Mary Kay Beall Carter—renowned composers and lyricists—introduced a spring concert that expanded the group’s repertoire beyond the annual Messiah performance. In the 1990s, conductor John Gosling, then director of the Hilton Head Orchestra and a Juilliard-trained musician, brought full orchestral accompaniment to the Choral Society, raising the caliber of its performances. Mary Green took the baton in 1999 and further broadened the group’s musical range with ambitious works like Carmina Burana. Then came Tim Reynolds, whose 20-year tenure as Artistic Director marked a transformative era. A former singer with the group, Reynolds introduced programs like the Chamber Singers, a Children’s Choir, and a four-concert annual season. Today, HHCS thrives under the direction of Dr. Dustin C. Ousley, who brings deep expertise in choral conducting and vocal artistry, continuing the society’s mission of bringing people together through the joy of music.

“As the oldest performing arts organization on Hilton Head Island, the Choral Society has a rich legacy of musical excellence and community connection,” said Dr. Dustin C. Ousley, Artistic Director. “I’m honored to lead this remarkable group into its 50th Anniversary Season - a milestone that not only celebrates our past, but also sets the stage for an exciting future of continuing to bring the joy of music to the Lowcountry.”

Tickets go on sale August 4th online at www.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org. For more information or for assistance placing your ticket order, call 843-341-3818 or email [email protected].