. . . with a Christmas Tour of Homes and Holiday Concert
Get out of the house and into the holiday spirit with the festive 28th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9.
This year guests will have the opportunity to tour homes in the scenic and secluded Hampton Hall neighborhood in Bluffton. The Hilton Head Choral Society’s immensely popular tour features six uniquely designed and decorated homes in stunning holiday splendor. This is a rare opportunity to take a self-guided tour of the beautiful residences and clubhouse in this private community, which was inspired by the close-knit European villages. The tour will end in the Hampton Hall Clubhouse where guests will be treated to holiday music by harpist Phyllis Mauney and refreshments courtesy of Toll Brothers.
Judy Thorpe, Choral Society member and former tour chairwoman, says the homes are chosen for their uniqueness in design as well as holiday decorating themes.
“The tour offers guests a chance to see places they wouldn’t normally see,” Thorpe said of the gated communities the tour features.
The residences on tour will give guests an inside look into the craftsmanship of each home. Tour-goers can spend the afternoon surrounded by fun and festive holiday decorations and the family stories behind them. There will be docents at each home to answer questions and share home and holiday features.
“You might also find something you really like and take the idea home,” Thorpe said. She recalled how she discovered a local artist whose pieces were featured in a home she toured and now she has the artist’s work in her own home.
The event is the main fundraiser for the yearly concerts and events coordinated and performed by The Hilton Head Choral Society. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 the day of the tour.
A note to guests: private homes are not handicap accessible and wheelchairs cannot be accommodated in the private homes. High-heeled shoes are not allowed. Well-supervised children over the age of eight are welcome; strollers not allowed inside the homes.
And A Holiday Concert . . .
Experience the Sounds of Christmas with the Hilton Head Choral Society’s holiday concert, 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 at First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island.
The HHCS continues the season’s international theme with the concert entitled Joyeux Noel, which translates to Merry Christmas. This event features a French twist, but also contains traditional carols and holiday tunes for all to enjoy. The concert will include performances by the full chorus, soloists and orchestra. HHCS Artistic Director Tim Reynolds says this concert is always a festive kickoff to the holiday season and will include plenty of opportunities for the audience to sing along.
Audience members can also take a trip down memory lane and sing along as the Society performs “Snow” by Irving Berlin from the 1954 holiday classic “White Christmas,” starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. Patrons will be treated to traditional carols such as “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “O Holy Night,” and a fun arrangement combining the classics “Deck the Hall” and “Jingle Bells.” Society members say one of the highlights of the evening will be the performance of “Oratorio de Noel” by Camille Saint-Saens, which will feature operatic soloists from around the country.
Concert tickets are $30 for preferred seating (available on-line only) and $25 for general admission. Tickets may be ordered on line or at the door the night of the concert.
For tickets to the tour or concert, visit www.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org. Call 843-341-3818 for details.
