Hilton Head Choral Society announces 50th anniversary season

The Hilton Head Choral Society will launch its 50th anniversary season this fall with a lineup of four concerts and a special appearance by the Vienna Boys Choir, commemorating five decades of musical performances on Hilton Head Island.

The 2025–26 season opens with Celebrate Unity on Friday, Sept. 26th, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. The concert will feature a newly commissioned work by American composer Z. Randall Stroope, known for his international conducting and more than 200 published musical works. A reception will follow the performance in honor of the anniversary.

The society’s holiday program, Celebrate the Holidays, will take place Friday, Dec. 5th, at 7 p.m. The concert brings together cherished seasonal traditions and beloved contemporary holiday classics.It will include selections from Handel’s Messiah and other seasonal favorites, with guest performers joining the chorus.

In the spring, Celebrate Renewal is scheduled for Friday, March 27th, 2026, at 7 p.m. The program will reflect themes of renewal, growth and transformation and will feature both returning performers and new seasonal selections.

The season will close with Celebrate America! on Sunday, May 24th, 2026, at 7 p.m. The Memorial Day weekend event will recognize U.S. military service members and coincide with the America 250 initiative marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. Guest musicians and speakers will take part in the program.

In addition to the regular concert series, the Hilton Head Choral Society will present the Vienna Boys Choir in a two-night engagement on Monday, Feb. 23rd, and Tuesday, Feb. 24th, 2026, at Lowcountry Community Church in Bluffton. The internationally renowned ensemble is known for its centuries-old choral tradition and diverse repertoire.

Founded in 1976 by Martha Gregory, the Hilton Head Choral Society began with a performance of Messiah supported by a $500 grant. It has since grown into the island’s oldest performing arts organization, expanding under a series of directors including John Gosling, Mary Green, and Tim Reynolds. Under the current leadership of Artistic Director Dr. Dustin C. Ousley, the group continues to build on its tradition of musical excellence and community engagement.

“As the oldest performing arts organization on Hilton Head Island, the Choral Society has a rich legacy of musical excellence and community connection,” Ousley said in a statement. “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.”

Tickets go on sale August 4th at www.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org. For more information, call 843-341-3818 or email tickets@hiltonheadchoralsociety.org.