PRESIDENT’S LETTER
As President of the League, I want to highlight the three League major initiatives underway: fundraising, outreach, and revitalization.
Our priority is to continue our fundraising efforts to meet (or exceed) our pledge of $60,000 to the HHSO. As a result of the very successful golf tournament and member participation in Musicales, we can transfer an initial $40,000 to the HHSO.
As we go forward into the spring, we are headlong into our plans for the Spring Luncheon, Fashion Show, and Silent Auction on March 19. This function has become a very popular tradition within the Hilton Head and Bluffton area community. We have calculated that in past years, almost half of the people in attendance were not members of The League but rather, friends of members. Clearly, this is an opportunity for member ambassadorship and outreach to a new audience. Our tri-fold brochure has been redesigned to contribute to many of our outreach efforts.
Lastly, in celebration of our League all members will be invited to attend the Spring Fling, our annual meeting. The third focus this year is our League commitment to “Affirmation and Revitalization.” The League is 27 years young and we are examining our areas of emphasis, governing policies, and procedures. The goal is to keep The League organized, focused, and robust for at least another 27 years.
As always, we thank League members, the HHSO Board of Directors and the HHSO staff for their support without which we could not succeed.
—Terry Hicks, League President, terryhicks22@gmail.com
Presented by the HHIPC and the HHSO, BravoPiano! 2024 is entitled “PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS…” and showcases the piano’s countless collaborative capabilities, featuring outstanding HHIPC alumni—both prize-winners and judges—as well as prominent jazz pianists performing in a variety of ensemble settings.
We open with the two premier piano duos in classical music and in jazz, who also happen to be married couples: classical virtuosos Ran Dank and Soyeon Kate Lee, followed the next night by jazz greats Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes. Saturday night’s spotlight is on chamber music, with quintessential piano quintets performed by pianist Angela Cheng and the award-winning Verona Quartet. Sunday afternoon’s program combines jazz and classical music in the masterful hands of pianist Aaron Diehl and bassist David Wong.
Our finale is a spectacular three-concerto extravaganza with the HHSO and Maestro John Morris Russell entitled Rhapsody and Fantasy, featuring: Drew Petersen playing Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue (in honor of the 100th anniversary of the premiere); Wynona Yinuo Wang performing Busoni’s rarely heard Indian Fantasy for piano and orchestra; and culminating with Orli Shaham playing Rachmaninoff’s thrilling Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
February 29 – March 3 take place at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Pope Avenue, HHI
March 4 (Finale) takes place at First Presbyterian Church, HHI
Tickets can be purchased online at HHIPC.ORG or call 843-842-2055. Any remaining tickets may also be available at the door.
HHIPC Liaison Kathy Zurilla
“Swing Fore The Symphony” Golf Tournament
On October 16th the League staged a highly successful third edition of the “Swing Fore The Symphony” golf tournament at the Wexford Club.
The day of golf hosted 118 golfers for a great day of play with a wonderful reception and auctions afterwards.
With $18,550 in sponsorships, $2,805 in 50/50 and mulligans, and a whopping $30,093 raised in the Live and Silent Auctions, the League raised a net of $58,000!
A lot of hard work went into making this tournament such a success: setting up the event, soliciting sponsors and auction items, and staging the golf and reception. Special thanks to Mike Kling, the tournament co-chair and day-of-the-event host, Joyce Prange for running a fabulous auction, Carol Gyllenhoff for assisting with the reception food and beverage, Terry Hicks for organizing the volunteers and overseeing the decorations, Anne Millhaem for arranging the golfers’ breakfast, and Bill Millhaem for the herculean task of tracking the golf entries, sponsorships and auction financials.
Ed and Nancy Millette, Mike Harter and Linda Moloney also provided their counsel as did Bob Cherichella, who auctioned off not one but two pig pulls (thank you Charles Sampson!) at the Live Auction.
We are already working on the fourth golf tournament already but must relocate as Wexford is renovating their clubhouse. We should know soon where and when the Swing Fore (Four) the Symphony will be staged for 2024 and we hope to make the event even more fun and exciting.
Swing Fore the Symphony – Bret Jacobowitz and Mike King
Spring Fashion Show
Spring is right around the corner, and so is the 12th Annual Luncheon/Fashion Show and Silent Auction!! For League members and their invited guests. Tables of 10 will be available.
Invitations will be mailed this year at the beginning of February and tickets are $60.00 per person. Please note that this year, as in the past, reservations will be taken BY MAIL ONLY and ONLY WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY PAYMENT.
Doors open at 11:00. This event will feature beautiful ensembles provided by Birdie James and modeled by some of our members. The Country Club of Hilton Head will provide our luncheon, and of course, you’ll want to browse our fabulous selection at the silent auction.
MARK YOUR CALANDERS AND START GATHERING YOUR FRIENDS FOR YOUR TABLE!
Spring Fashion Show – Laura Kling and Ann Millhaem
Musicale
Musicales continue to be a special treat for League members with musical programs arranged by Mario Incorvaia. As we ring in the New Year, the next Musicale, Melodius Brass, will be hosted at the lovely home of Pam Schofield on Sunday, January 28, with the trombone quartet taking us on a bit of a tour around the world. In December Mary and Mike Briggs hosted the holiday Musicale, A Charlie Brown Christmas, with performers from the Junior Jazz Foundation for over 70 League members and their guests. The ambiance of the Briggs home, the wonderful jazz performers and the culinary selection all made for a magical evening. In October our first Musicale was hosted by Stan Cooke at Port Royal Beach Club with a champagne reception prior to the performance for the generous Musicale sponsors.
If you might enjoy hosting a Musicale in your home in the 2024-2025 season or making a food donation this season, please email c.mccarthy3562@gmail.com or eileen.durkin54@gmail.com.
Musicale – Eileen Durkin and Carol McCarthy
