Orchestra Series 2026-2027
45th Season
When:
Nine programs with a choice between pairs of concerts on:
Sundays at 4:00 pm and
Mondays at 7:30 pm.
Where:
All concerts are at:
First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway (Business Route 278)
Olga Kern — Beethoven Emporer
One Performance Only! 4 p.m. October 25
John Morris Russell, conductor
Olga Kern, piano
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture
Celebrate the opening of a remarkable new season with an evening of breathtaking music and celebration. Internationally acclaimed pianist Olga Kern returns to Hilton Head to perform Beethoven’s majestic “Emperor” Concerto alongside Tchaikovsky’s passionate Romeo and Juliet Overture. After the performance, continue the celebration at an elegant gala with a prosecco welcome, 3-course dinner, and live music as we unveil the next chapter of the HHSO.
Experience: One spectacular evening of music, celebration, and community.
Bella Hristova — Maralis Concerto
4 p.m. November 15 and 7:30 p.m. November 16
John Morris Russell, conductor
Bella Hristova, violin
Wynton Marsalis Violin Concerto in D
Antonín Dvořák Symphony No. 7
Violinist Bella Hristova, a favorite among HHSO audiences, returns for a rollicking performance of Wynton Marsalis’ groundbreaking Violin Concerto—a vibrant blend of jazz, blues, bluegrass, and classical traditions. Paired with Dvořák’s dramatic Seventh Symphony, this concert is a virtuosic showpiece for the entire orchestra.
Experience: Bold rhythms. Brilliant artistry. Music without boundaries.
Holiday Pops
Bluffton Concert:
7 p.m. November 28 at St. Gregory the great Church
Hilton Head Concerts:
4 p.m. November 29 and 7 p.m. November 30
John Morris Russell, conductor
Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Dr. Dustin Ousley, director
Melinda Doolittle, vocalist
Mana Takahashi, violin (2026 Youth Concerto Competition winner)
Kick off the holiday season with music that brings generations together. Joined by American Idol and Broadway star Melinda Doolittle, the HHSO Chorus, and the Youth Concerto Competition winner, this festive program blends beloved holiday classics with joyful new favorites that capture the warmth and spirit of the season.
Experience: Gather family and friends for one of the Lowcountry’s favorite holiday traditions.
Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony
4 p.m. January 17 and 7:30 p.m. January 18
John Morris Russell, conductor
Antonio Marti & Paul Wesley Lott, trumpets
Chad Martin, organ
Rameau/arr. d’Indy “Zaïs” Overture
Henri Tomasi Trumpet Concerto
Antonio Vivaldi Concerto for Two Trumpets
Camille Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3, “Organ”
Saint-Saëns’ magnificent Organ Symphony fills the hall with breathtaking sound as the First Presbyterian Church’s renowned pipe organ joins the full orchestra. Featuring dazzling trumpet soloists and vibrant French masterpieces, this concert showcases music on a grand scale.
Experience: Music you don’t just hear—you feel.
"POP"-era with Jay Dreff
4 p.m. January 31 and 7:30 p.m. February 1
John Morris Russell, conductor
Jay Dref, vocalist
From beloved Broadway favorites and timeless opera arias to Sinatra classics and Italian love songs, this entertaining evening has something for everyone. Returning by popular demand, tenor Jay Dref brings charisma, humor, and extraordinary vocals to a concert that’s elegant and perfect for a romantic night out.
Experience: One stage. Many musical favorites.
Beethoven Symphony No. 5
4 p.m. February 14 and 7:30 p.m. February 15
Joseph Young, guest conductor
Jueon Lee, piano (2026 Hilton Head International Piano Competition Winner)
Ahmad Ward, narrator
Frédéric Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2
Anna Clyne Sound and Fury
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 5
From its iconic opening to triumphant finale, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony remains one of history’s most recognizable musical masterpieces. Conductor Joseph Young leads Chopin’s lyrical second Piano Concerto with 2026 Hilton Head International Piano Competition Gold Medalist Jueon Lee and Anna Clyne’s invigorating Sound and Fury, narrated by Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park’s Ahmad Ward.
Experience: Music that has inspired audiences for generations.
The Soldier's Tale
4 p.m. February 28 and 7:30 p.m. March 1
John Morris Russell, conductor
Lean Ensemble Theater
Hilton Head Dance Theatre
Joseph Haydn Symphony No. 100, “Military”
Igor Stravinsky “The Soldier’s Tale”
The orchestra joins forces with Lean Ensemble Theater and Hilton Head Dance Theatre for one of the season’s most imaginative productions. Combining live music, storytelling, acting, and dancing, Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale creates a powerful, immersive theatrical experience.
Experience: Where music becomes theater.
Verdi Requiem
4 p.m. April 11 and 7:30 p.m. April 12
John Morris Russell, conductor
Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Dr. Dustin Ousley, director
Claflin University Concert Choir, Charlie J. Toomer, director
With classical voices presented by the Savannah VOICE Festival
Giuseppe Verdi Requiem
Verdi’s monumental Requiem brings together the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, HHSO Chorus, Claflin University Concert Choir, and soloists from the Savannah VOICE Festival for one of the largest artistic collaborations in the orchestra’s history. From whisper-quiet moments to soaring choral passages, this is music that resonates long after the final note.
Experience: A monumental celebration of music, community, and artistic, collaboration on an unforgettable scale.
Mahler Titan Symphony
One Performance Only! 4 p.m. April 25
John Morris Russell, conductor
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 1, “Titan”
Filled with sweeping melodies, brilliant orchestral colors, and extraordinary moments for nearly every musician on stage, Mahler’s Titan Symphony brings the season to a breathtaking close. This finale celebrates the full power and artistry of live symphonic music, with the largest orchestra assembled by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra.
Experience: An exhilarating conclusion to an extraordinary season.