Beaufort County performances will ring in the holidays with music and song

Nothing stirs the spirit quite like a holiday concert or choral ensemble.

So mark your calendars now because several such events are coming up in the first half of December.

The Sea Island Chamber Singers will present Part I of Handel's famous oratorio "Messiah" in two performances -- 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. -- Saturday, Dec. 5, at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret St., Beaufort.

Led by Charles D. Frost, minister of music for the Sea Island Church, this auditioned choir has expanded its ranks for the holiday performances.

Tickets are $25, $20 for seniors and $15 for students.

Tickets may be purchased online, by phone or at the box office at 805 Carteret St., Beaufort.

For details, call 843-521-4145 or visit www.uscbcenterforthearts.com.

Then, children of all ages -- and adults too -- will enjoy the music from the motion picture "The Polar Express."

The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra will work to re-create that magic in two performances that will also include traditional holiday selections.

Directed by conductor John Morris Russell, the program will feature not only the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Chorus but the Southeast Bullock High Advanced Chorus and the Statesboro Youth Chorale as well.

The program will also feature narration by Blake White and will conclude with a Christmas sing-along.

Performances are 4 p.m. Dec. 6 and 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway.

A reception will follow the Monday night performance in the church's gathering space.

Concert tickets are $30, $45 and $55, and discounts for the Sunday matinee are available for children with an accompanying parent.

For more information, call 843-842-2055 or visit www.hhso.org.

Next, the Hilton Head Choral Society will ring in the holidays with "A Merrie Olde Christmas" at 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at First Presbyterian Church.

Led by artistic director Tim Reynolds, the full chorus with an accompanying orchestra will treat the audience to traditional holiday carols and selections as well as a few surprises arranged in new and innovative ways.

In the spirit of giving, each choral member is donating a musical toy and invites concertgoers to do the same.

The toys will be collected at the concert and distributed to children in the community.

Ticket prices range from $20 to $35. All seating is reserved.

Tickets can be ordered online or purchased at the door, if available.

For details, call 843-341-3818 or visit www.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org.

Moving next to Beaufort, the Fellowship Concert Choir will present its annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at United Church of Jesus Christ for All People, 1801 Duke St.

The free concert will feature familiar Christmas spirituals with a new twist and some surprises.

For details, call 843-812-6111.

Then, "American Idol" fans will be seeing stars when they attend an upcoming benefit concert featuring St. Helena Island native and "American Idol" season 12 winner Candice Glover.

Glover, along with special guests the Battery Creek High School Choir and MLK Community Choir, will present "A Christmas Gospel Concert -- Candice Glover & Friends" at 5 p.m. Dec. 12 in Battery Creek High School's Performing Arts Center, 1 Blue Dolphin Drive, Beaufort.

The concert will benefit the Thumbs Up Children's Educational Center in Beaufort.

Tickets are $35. VIP tickets are also available. To purchase, call 843-379-8882.

For details, visit www.thumbsupbft.org.

Then, an ensemble led by First Presbyterian Church's minister of music, S. Russell Floyd, will present Handel's "Messiah" at 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the church at 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head.

The program will feature solo performances, the church's community choir and a chamber orchestra.

The concert is free.

For details, call 843-681-3696 or visit www.fpchhi.org.

Finally, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Brass Quintet will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Bluffton United Methodist Church, 101 Calhoun St.

This family-friendly concert will feature favorite Christmas and holiday songs as well as hymn sing-a-longs.

Tickets are $10 -- $5 for children -- and will be sold in advance due to limited seating.

Tickets are available at the church on Sundays following worship services and at Markel's Card & Gift Shop, 1008 Fording Island Road, Bluffton.

For details, call 843-757-3351 or visit www.charlestonsymphony.org.

Have a holiday concert coming up later in December? Send event information to mlucas@islandpacket.com.

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This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Beaufort County performances will ring in the holidays with music and song."