2023-2024 Orchestra Series

Nine programs with choice between pairs of concerts on SUNDAYS AT 4:00 PM and MONDAYS AT 7:30 PM

All concerts are at First Presbyterian Church 540 William Hilton Parkway (Business Route 278)

Symphonie Fantastique

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2023, 4:00 PM

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2023, 7:30 PM

John Morris Russell, Conductor

Bernard Herrmann Suite from Psycho

Michael Abels Suite from Us

James Stephenson Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Hector Berlioz Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14

Get ready for an evening of evocative, spine-tingling orchestral music that will put you in the mood for Halloween. Berlioz’ programmatic masterpiece, the dramatic story of an artist’s self-destructive passion for a beautiful woman, is a one-of-a-kind concert experience full of dreams, ecstasy, and despair.

Illia Ovcharenko Plays Liszt

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2023, 4:00 PM

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023, 7:30 PM

John Morris Russell, Conductor

Illia Ovcharenko, Piano

Richard Wagner Overture to The Flying Dutchman, WWV 63

Franz Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1, S.124, E-flat Major

Franz Liszt Piano Concerto No. 2, S.125, A Major

Richard Wagner Prelude to Die Meistersinger, WWV 96

Praised as “technically flawless and impeccably musical” (International Piano), Ukrainian pianist Illia Ovcharenko, second prize winner of the 2022 Hilton Head International Piano Competition, returns to the HHSO stage to play not one, but two concertos composed by classical music’s original rock star.

Holiday Pops

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2023, 4:00 PM

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2023, 7:30 PM

John Morris Russell, Conductor

Joseph Parrish, Baritone

Audrey Goodner, Violin, 2023 HHSO Youth Concerto Competition Winner

Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Chorus

Acclaimed baritone Joseph Parrish and HHSO Youth Concerto Competition winner

Audrey Goodner join Maestro Russell and the HHSO Chorus in a program of holiday favorites, old and new. Brilliant orchestral showpieces, and music of the deepest heart and beauty, highlight the Lowcountry’s most beloved holiday tradition.

Grieg And Brahms

SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 2024, 4:00 PM

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2024, 7:30 PM

John Morris Russell, Conductor

Zhonghua Wei, Piano

2023 Hilton Head International Piano Competition Winner

Alexander Borodin In the Steppes of Central Asia

Edward Grieg Piano Concerto, Op. 16, A minor

Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 2, Op. 73, D Major

The HHSO welcomes back Zhonghua Wei, winner of the 2023 HHIPC, to perform the Grieg piano concerto, one of the most popular in the entire genre. A rising star, this remarkable 14-year old artist will be competing in the Cliburn Junior Competition in June.

BACH, MOZART, AND BRANDON LEONARD

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024, 4:00 PM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2024, 7:30 PM

Vinay Parameswaran, Conductor

Brandon Leonard, Cello

Johann Sebastian Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, BWV 1048, G Major Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33, TH 57

Jessie Montgomery Strum

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 38, K.504, D Major, “Prague”

Brandon Leonard returns to the HHSO stage after winning the Gold Medal at the Sphinx Competition, Junior Division (2023). Guest Conductor Parameswaran recently concluded five seasons as an Assistant Conductor with the Cleveland Orchestra and is widely praised for his “ability to find sensitivity in scores that many do not detect.” (Philadelphia Enquirer)

John Williams Birthday Celebration

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024, 4:00 PM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2024, 7:30 PM

John Morris Russell, Conductor

The most critically acclaimed composer of our time, John Williams has won 25 GRAMMYS and 5 Oscars, with a total of 53 Academy Award nominations to his credit. We celebrate his birthday in style with some of his most endearing and enduring scores, including music from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and the Raiders film franchises.

SYMPHONIC DANCES OF RACHMANINOFF AND COLERIDGE-TAYLOR

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024, 4:00 PM

MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024, 7:30 PM

David Amado, Conductor

Jennifer Montone, Horn

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Rhapsodic Dance No. 1, Op. 75, “The Bamboula”

Richard Strauss Horn Concerto No. 1, TrV 117, Op. 11, E-flat Major

Sergei Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances, Op. 45

Sergei Rachmaninoff Men’s Dance from Aleko

Guest conductor David Amado, long-time Music Director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, conducts the HHSO in a lively program of symphonic dances. He is joined by Jennifer Montone, principal hornist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and a GRAMMY winner. Ms. Montone is on the faculties of both The Juilliard School and The Curtis Institute.

TESSA LARK AND PIAZZOLLA’S FOUR SEASONS OF BUENOS AIRES

SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2024, 4:00 PM

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024, 7:30 PM

John Morris Russell, Conductor

Tessa Lark, Violin

Ruperto Chapí y Lorente Preludio from La Revoltosa

Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga Symphony in D

Astor Piazzolla The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires

Arturo Márquez Danzón No. 2

What do you get when you combine a classically trained violinist who has bluegrass roots and Brazilian tango music? Join us in welcoming back Tessa Lark, one of the most captivating artistic voices of our time, for what will be a very special concert.

Ode To Joy

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2024, 4:00 PM

MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2024, 7:30 PM

John Morris Russell, Conductor

Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Chorus

Claflin University Concert Choir, Dr. Charles Toomer, Director

Series Finale

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Op. 125, D minor, “Choral”

“This singular work expresses Beethoven’s deepest desire for unity, hope, and joy among all people. Its spiritual essence invokes our connectedness between earth and heaven, of humanity and the divine.” – John Morris Russell