Celebrating 46 years of musical excellence, the Masterworks Choir of Florence is one of the most prestigious choral ensembles in the state, known for its choral artistry and performing a historically diverse repertoire of both new and traditional music. Since its founding in 1979, the Choir has grown from a core of 30 choristers to an ensemble of over 80 dedicated, auditioned singers from the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. William B. Mills was the founder and music director of the Masterworks Choir for 33 years. Today the ensemble is led by the energetic and engaging conductor Dr. William Carswell and accompanied by the talented Beverly Hazelwood. 

At the heart of all the musical performances and activities of the Choir lies its mission – Inspired by the power of music to enrich lives, the Masterworks Choir is dedicated to increasing the awareness and appreciation of choral music and musicians through performance, outreach, and education. Recent works performed include such choral masterpieces as the Verdi Requiem, Te Deum by Anton Bruckner, J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Magnificat, Gloria by Francis Poulenc, the Mozart Requiem, Handel’s Messiah and Four Coronation Anthems, the Fauré Requiem, Dvořák’s Te Deum, the exquisite Dona Nobis Pacem by Vaughan Williams, and Beethoven’s incomparable Ninth Symphony. 

Always seeking to expand its reach beyond the Florence community, the Masterworks Choir has performed at Piccolo Spoleto in Charleston, SC, in Carnegie Hall with maestro John Rutter, with the Coker University Singers in Hartsville, and at the South Carolina Pecan Festival. The Choir has enjoyed successful tours to Austria, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic,  Italy, and Ireland, as well as to Washington, DC. In June -2025 the Choir will travel to Scotland for a 10-day tour, performing in  Glasgow, Inverness, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh. 

The Masterworks Choir is dedicated to presenting extraordinary musical experiences for audiences in Florence and beyond. The ensemble is in residence at Central United Methodist Church and the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center, and is supported by the South Carolina Arts Commission, The Florence Regional Arts Alliance, the City of Florence, Florence County, and the H.M. and Pearl Kyle Foundation.