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News and Events
May 2026 Events
Midlands Gives – Support CCS anytime between now and May 5, 2026
Midlands Gives, which occurs this year on Tuesday, May 5, is a day of giving to support nonprofits like the Columbia Choral Society. The Columbia Choral Society supports young vocal artists through the Guthrie Darr Young Artist Scholarship Program each year, which is supported through your contributions made during Midlands Gives. Through this scholarship program, we are able to help high school students develop and continue their independent study of vocal music. The scholarship is available to students who reside in Richland or Lexington Counties and are currently enrolled in high school in grades 10-12 or in an equivalent home-schooled program.
Donate Here. Thank you!
Spring Concerts May 16 & 17, 2026
The Columbia Choral Society and the Florence Masterworks Choir will perform a concert featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem and Anton Bruckner’s Te Deum. The joint choirs of 140 singers will be joined by a 40-piece orchestra for this dramatic and moving evening of music.
Date and Time: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 7:00pm
Location: St Andrews Baptist Church, 230 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210
Tickets: General Admission – $20 | Seniors and Military $15 | Students-High School and College $10 | Under 14 – FREE
We will repeat this concert on Sunday, May 17 at 5pm at the Francis Marion Performing Arts Center in Florence.
May 29 – Singing the National Anthem at the Fireflies Game (Segra Park)
Come join us at Segra Park on Friday, May 29 for a fun evening as we sing the National Anthem prior to the game at 7:00pm against the Charleston RiverDogs. The promotion that evening is an exclusive Hawaiian shirt giveaway. How can you resist? And, want reserved seats with the CCS? Contact a CCS member or write management [dot] choralsociety [at] gmail [dot] com for more information.
This organization is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Guthrie Darr Scholarship Competition 2026 Guidelines
The Columbia Choral Society Guthrie Darr Young Artist Scholarship exists to encourage and support local young artists who are interested in studying voice independently with a private music teacher.
Family, Choral Directors, and Voice Instructors, thank you for supporting our youth as they strive to excel in the vocal arts! Thank you!
In 2026: Application DUE Monday, March 30, 2026.
CCS-Scholarship-March 2026-Application-PACKAGEpdf
includes complete details (print and complete)
OR
CCS-Scholarship-March 2026-Application-PACKAGE.DOC
includes complete details (open and complete)
Award: The scholarship will be awarded through a juried competition. To allow for greater participation, we have extended the deadline for the application to Monday, March 30, 2026, and we are requesting recorded videos of the musical selections (as outlined in the application form) rather than in person auditions. The winner may also be offered the opportunity to perform as a guest artist at a Columbia Choral Society concert. The judges will award a $500 scholarship. The scholarship will be paid directly to a private local vocal instructor to assist the winner with the vocal instruction, to be completed by December 31 of this year.
Eligibility Requirements: The Columbia Choral Society Guthrie Darr Young Artist Scholarship is available to students who reside in Richland or Lexington Counties and are currently enrolled in high school in grades 10-12 or in an equivalent homeschool program. Previous study with a voice instructor is not required but any scholarship awarded must be used for this purpose.
Repertoire Requirements: Students need to prepare two (2) contrasting musical selections to be performed,
one (1) of which must be in a language other than English.
Date, Time, Place: Video submission due March 30th
Applications: Applications may be submitted by mail or email.
The application package should contain
1) a completed application;
2) video submission
3) one letter of recommendation;
4) a brief description by the applicant of their goals and aspirations;
5) if available, the student’s voice instructor’s name, address, email, and phone number as well as “check payable to” information; and
6) a $10.00 audition fee (non-refundable). Please see the instructions below on where to mail the application fee.
The recommendation should be from a person who is acquainted with the applicant’s singing abilities such as a minister of music, choral director, private music instructor or theatrical instructor. The letter of recommendation must include contact information for the person submitting the letter (i.e. e-mail address, phone number, etc.).
Mail: Mail the $10 check to Columbia Choral Society, PO Box 5563, Columbia, SC 29250-5563.
Online: PayPal or credit card accepted at https://www.columbiachoralsociety.org/donate/
Questions can be directed to management [dot] choralsociety [at] gmail [dot] com or call 803-567-1811.
Family, Choral Directors, and Voice Instructors, thank you for supporting our youth as they strive to excel in the vocal arts! Thank you!
Support our great sponsors from our concert programs. Thank you!
Winter 2026: Winter 2026: Hope For The Journey (Full Program)
Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/columbiachoralsociety
Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/columbiascchoralsociety/
Thank you for your support of the Columbia Choral Society.
This organization is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
More Concert Information (future and past) at https://www.columbiachoralsociety.org/concerts/
Thank you!
CCS February 2026 Concert
The Columbia Choral Society welcomes you to our 96th Season.
Join family and friends for a beautiful musical experience.
Columbia Choral Society Concert
Hope for the Journey
Sunday, February 22, 2026, 4:00pm
Shandon United Methodist Church
3407 Devine Street, Columbia, SC
This will be a FREE concert, and a Love Offering will be taken up.
The 75-voice Columbia Choral Society, led by Artistic Director Dr. Elizabeth Mears, with Accompanist Allison Hilbish, will be joined by a chamber orchestra.
Support our great sponsors from our concert programs. Thank you!
Winter 2026: Winter 2026: Hope For The Journey (Full Program)
Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/columbiachoralsociety
Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/columbiascchoralsociety/
Thank you for your support of the Columbia Choral Society.
This organization is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
More Concert Information (future and past) at https://www.columbiachoralsociety.org/concerts/
Thank you!