Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Powerful Voices. Unforgettable Performances.
The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Chorus brings together experienced singers from throughout the Lowcountry to perform some of the most moving and memorable works in the orchestral and choral repertoire.
An auditioned ensemble of professional and professionally trained vocalists, the HHSO Chorus performs alongside the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra in major choral works, holiday concerts and special programs throughout the season.
Singing With the Symphony
Members of the HHSO Chorus bring a wide range of musical experience to the stage. Many have performed as soloists in opera and oratorio, as well as with symphony choruses and choral organizations throughout the United States and abroad.
Together, they create the rich, expressive choral sound that has become an important part of the HHSO concert experience.
The Chorus performs repertoire spanning classical masterworks, opera, Broadway and contemporary arrangements, giving singers and audiences alike the opportunity to experience an extraordinary range of music.
A Tradition of Great Choral Music
The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Chorus was formed in 2006 under the direction of Mary Woodmansee Green.
The ensemble made its debut performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, with concerts on Hilton Head Island and at the Lucas Theatre in Savannah.
Since then, the Chorus has joined the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra for an impressive range of works, including:
- Orff’s Carmina Burana
- Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9
- Mendelssohn’s Elijah
- Brahms’s A German Requiem
- Poulenc’s Gloria
- Selections from Handel’s Messiah
- Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture
- Holst’s The Planets
- Opera selections from Aida, Die Fledermaus, Falstaff and Macbeth
- Music by Bach, Berlioz, Verdi, Copland, Handel, Mendelssohn and other celebrated composers
The Chorus has also explored the lighter side of the repertoire, performing music from Broadway and Gilbert and Sullivan favorites including The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore and Trial by Jury.
A Holiday Tradition
The HHSO Chorus is a favorite part of the Symphony’s holiday performances, joining the orchestra for beloved seasonal music and imaginative contemporary arrangements.
Over the years, the ensemble has performed traditional holiday favorites as well as arrangements by Maestro John Morris Russell, Michael Braz and musicians associated with the Cincinnati Pops.
These performances have become a festive tradition for both the singers and HHSO audiences.
Performing Under Maestro John Morris Russell
Under the baton of Music Director John Morris Russell, the HHSO Chorus continues to play an important role in the Symphony’s programming.
Whether performing a monumental choral masterwork, an operatic favorite or a joyful holiday program, the Chorus adds another dimension to the HHSO experience through the power of the human voice.