Over the past 50 years, the Hilton Head Choral Society has been a steady and inspiring presence in the musical tapestry of the Lowcountry. What started as a small group brought together by a love of choral music has grown into a lasting cornerstone in the cultural life of our community. As the Choral Society celebrates its 50th anniversary season, it’s not just marking a milestone – it’s celebrating the people, the music, and the camaraderie that has made five decades of sharing the joy of music possible.
Kathy Burmeister is celebrating her 40th anniversary with the Hilton Head Choral Society.
More Than Just A Voice: Kathy Burmeister
One of the key contributors to the success of the longest-running performing arts group on Hilton Head Island is longtime HHCS member Kathy Burmeister, who will be celebrating her 40th anniversary with the Choral Society during the upcoming 2026-27 season. More than just another pretty voice, Burmeister passionately pours her time and energy into helping make this organization into something truly special. Her passion is evident through her dedication to the group: She will have spent more than half her life singing with and serving the organization that holds a central place in her heart.
Joining the Choral Society during the 1986-87 season, Burmeister had just moved to South Carolina with her husband and three young children and was seeking a creative outlet and a way to remain connected to music. She followed a recommendation from fellow HHCS member, the late Judy Gallagher, and found exactly what she was looking for.
Of note, Burmeister has sung under the direction of every HHCS artistic director over the years except Choral Society founder Martha Gregory.
Burmeister’s first concert was the Choral Society’s 12th annual Messiah performance on December 13, 1987, at First Presbyterian Church. She was thrilled to be a part of the first Messiah that was conducted by Choral Society Artistic Directors John Carter and Mary Kay Beall. The Carters were both nationally known as composers and lyricists of sacred and choral music, with hundreds of published works. Under their leadership from 1986-90, the Choral Society added a spring concert to the HHCS annual season.
Currently serving her third term as director of membership for the HHCS, a role she first held in the early 1990s, Burmeister is admired throughout the Choral Society for her leadership, institutional knowledge, and genuine warmth. She is also an active member of the HHCS 50th Anniversary committee, contributing tirelessly to both daily choral operations as well as special milestone events to commemorate this momentous year.
While Burmeister has played a major role in streamlining the membership process over the years, what she treasures most is the human connection that she enjoys while serving with others who share her musical passion. Burmeister explains that many prospective HHCS members are new to the area, and she takes particular joy in helping them feel welcomed, valued, and quickly at home within the group. She is especially encouraged by the growing number of younger singers joining in recent seasons and delights in sharing memorable stories that help to connect generations of HHCS members along the way.
Across decades and many ensembles, Burmeister’s deep passion and dedication to choral music has always been driven by a love of community and collaboration. She also sings with both the Mary Green Chorale and the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Chorus, having been part of each group since their inception.
Carol Gyllenhoff, Carolyn Deacon, Kathy Burmeister, Fannie Levy, and Sandy Hillis
Cherished Memories
Over the years, Burmeister has witnessed remarkable growth, and today HHCS proudly boasts more than 75 voices in each performance of their four-concert season.
She has been present for many of the organization’s most meaningful artistic milestones. Among her favorites is the 1990 spring concert Heart of the South, which featured guest soloists Ron and Natalie Daise, several years before their television series Gullah Gullah Island would bring authentic Gullah Geechee culture into homes across the nation.
Burmeister also fondly recalls the HHCS Presents Series, bringing extraordinary musicians to the Lowcountry, with the most memorable performance being the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir. Those performances stood out not only for their musical excellence, but for the way they connected HHCS to a broader choral tradition.
Other memorable moments for Burmeister through the years marked important chapters in the organization’s artistic growth. She recalls when John Gosling took the helm as HHCS artistic director in 1991 and introduced orchestral musicians to accompany the group. This opened up a whole new world for the chorus that gave amateur singers the opportunity to perform alongside professional instrumentalists. Beginning in 2000, under the 22-year leadership of Artistic Director Tim Reynolds, Burmeister saw the HHCS grow substantially. Reynolds introduced a fall Pops concert in 2005 that further expanded both the chorus’ repertoire as well as the audience.
Burmeister enjoyed singing with the Choral Society so much she encouraged her sister, Kris, to join as well and the sisters have been singing alongside one another for the past several seasons.
Ask Burmeister why she loves singing, and her answer is immediate and heartfelt. She cannot imagine a life without it. For her, choral singing nurtures the whole person. It keeps the body younger, strengthens breath as well as listening skills, and, most importantly, it feeds the soul. She believes deeply in the power of community singing to help each individual become a better musician and a more attentive, connected human being.
Through her voice, her leadership, and her remarkable generosity of spirit, Burmeister has helped shape the Hilton Head Choral Society into more than just a chorus, but a community.
Kathy Burmeister, Mitzi Ganelin, Edith Rhomberg, Betty Hartley
Wrapping Up The Celebration
As the Choral Society closes out its commemorative season this spring under Artistic Director Dr. Dustin C. Ousley, the HHCS is looking forward with anticipation to the final two performances of the season.
Welcoming spring in the Lowcountry, the Choral Society invites the community to the Celebrate Renewal concert Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. The annual spring concert will feature a blend of beloved choral favorites and contemporary works centered on themes of hope, peace, and new beginnings. The concert represents both reflection and forward momentum honoring the people and the music that have shaped the organization over the years, while looking ahead with excitement to its next chapter.
As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, the evening will also feature the return of Reynolds as guest conductor for a portion of the program, along with former HHCS accompanist Janice Creech.
The annual Celebrate America concert will take place Sunday, May 24, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. At this all-American performance, the Choral Society will pay tribute to those in the armed services who have fought valiantly for the freedoms we enjoy. Increasing the excitement surrounding this concert, this year’s Memorial Day concert is part of the broader America 250 celebration marking our country’s 250th anniversary. This special program will include guest musicians and speakers for an inspiring event and a grand finale to the 50th anniversary season for the HHCS.
Tickets are available online at hiltonheadchoralsociety.org. For more information, call (843) 341-3818 or email tickets@hiltonheadchoralsociety.org.
