PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:
Dear League Friends,
It is my great pleasure to announce that we have already met Goal #2 of my last message. We have exceeded our annual pledge to the HHSO by $15,000! Thanks to all of you for your hard work and support. Here are the details:
SWING FORE THE SYMPHONY #5:
We were able to secure Genesis of Hilton Head as our Presenting Sponsor. Our other generous sponsors, including many of you, contributed an additional $25,300. Our golfers loved buying Mulligans, 50/50 tickets and special commemorative golf balls. Our golfers and reception attendees loved our live and silent auction offerings. It was fun! Our golfers loved the grilled barbeque lunch and delicious food at the reception. Thanks to the Moss Creek staff for their outstanding hospitality. Thanks also to our Golf Committee headed by Terry Hicks and Bret Jacobowitz. The golf committee could not have been as successful; if it were not for the amazing leadership from Terry and Bret whose “drive” made this all happen!!
MUSICALES:
As always, our Musicales are immensely popular, and most sold out very quickly. The first, “A Viola Odyssey” introduced us to Vasily Gorkovoy and Scott Garrett, NOT your snobby violinists, but jovial viola players.
COMING IN 2026:
Look for more information about our 30-year celebration. We have accomplished a great deal since our founding. The Fashion Show on March 25 is in the final planning stages. You will not want to miss the fabulous clothing and accessories from Jean-Pierre Klifa. Mark your calendar for Spring Fling on Wednesday, May 13. There will be surprises!
MANY THANKS:
As League members, we have two jobs – raise money for our wonderful HHSO and have fun. Thank you to all our volunteers for the big and small ways you make, and continue to make these events happen and successful. If you have not yet volunteered, please join in the hard work, camaraderie, and, yes, fun. My phone number is 843-298-2421. Please consider calling me and I will be happy to find a place for you.
Nancy Millette
President
SWING FORE THE SYMPHONY REPORT
As Chair of our League Golf Tournament, I am thrilled to report that Swing Fore the Symphony 2026 was a smashing success! I can easily summarize the event: More fun, More sponsors, More reception attendees, More Auction Items, and without a doubt More Profits for the League to transfer to the HHSO!!!!
The day began with beautiful November sunshine as advertised by Dahlia Handman, volunteers recruited by Lesley Gilbert, all hard at work, golfers checking in, and Anne Millhaem serving breakfast! The golfers headed off at 11:00 for a fun-filled day of golf and hole-by-hole games, and prizes organized by Bret Jacobowitz. Meanwhile, Becky Hauk, Joyce Prange, and Heather Cherichella set up the amazing auction and Terry took a deepbreath!
Golfers and sponsors recruited by the committee, along with Mike Kling, arrived for a wonderful reception organized by Nancy Millette and highlighted by Bob Cherichella, our expert and highly skilled auctioneer. Generous bidders provided Bill Millhaem with lots to tally up our outcomes. As a result, The League was able to realize more than $71,000, which has already been donated to the HHSO.
Thank you to all of you who golfed, sponsored, volunteered, purchased hole signs, and supported the committee’s efforts! We did it together!
And we are already working on Swing Fore the Symphony 2027!!!
Terry Hicks, Chairperson
| MEMBERSHIP DRIVE FOR 2026-2027 SEASON |
| The League will be launching its 2026-2027 membership drive in March, with the goal of finishing by the May Spring Fling in support of the HHSO Symphony’s 2026-2027 season. Using the RunSignUp program, the renewal process is quite simple as you will be able to easily pay dues and indicate volunteer interests online. Membership costs will be $60 for individuals and $100 for couples. While the cost will be the same for credit cards and checks, we strongly urge you to renew with a credit card payment – the process reduces paperwork, saves resources, and helps committee planning before the summer break. By choosing to renew by credit card, we will not have to make follow-up communications by phone, email, or text. We want more volunteers! Our success is based on membership involvement. The League relies on you, our members, to share your skills and interests so we can match volunteers with the right projects. By letting us know what you enjoy and excel at, we can ensure everyone is placed in a role that suits their strengths. This approach creates valuable opportunities, ensuring when you volunteer, the experience is rewarding and meaningful. We are introducing a LIFETIME membership option for The League of the Hilton Head Symphony. The cost will be $1000 for a single membership and $1800 for a couple. We hope you will consider supporting The League in this way. Lifetime members will continue to receive all information that is sent to the membership. You will only need to join once, knowing your lifetime membership donation benefits The League’s efforts to support our fabulous Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. Look for an email in March with instructions to easily complete your membership renewal online. Marty Neumeister Membership/Volunteers Vice President |
| LEAGUE MUSICALES |
| HHSO Musicales are always a fabulous evening in a lovely setting, with amazing food, an intimate concert, and wonderful camaraderie! The final Musicale of 2025 was held at the home of Peggi Moon and Bill Hutchinson. The audience was transported into the holiday spirit by Charlie Curtis on piano with Beth Curtis and Suade Anderson as vocalists. On Wednesday, January 28, the next Musicale will be held at the lovely home of Mona Huff in Rose Hill. If interested in joining the fun, please get in touch with Eileen Durkin at eileen.durkin54@gmail.com. Also, if anyone is interested in exploring the possibility of hosting a Musicale in your home during the 2026-27 season, please reach out to Eileen Durkin at eileen.durkin54@gmail.com. It is a wonderful experience. Eileen Durkin Carol McCarthy Terry Hicks Musicale Committee |
SPRINGTIME IN PARIS SOIRÉE AND FASHION SHOW
Step into a world of Parisian grace and elegance at the “Springtime in Paris” Soirée and Fashion Show hosted by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra League. This new fundraising opportunity has a fresh take on Spring Fashion but our event still honors our original mission: to raise funds to suport the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. A gorgeous array of colorful fashions will be brought to you by Jean-Pierre Klifa of Paris featuring HHSO Chorus and League members as models.
The fashion show will take place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 4pm-6pm at the HHSO Soundwaves space – transformed into a beautiful Parisian locale. Experience the fashion show and the opportunity to purchase beautiful clothing and accessories during the event as well! Your reservation will include tasty hors d’oeuvres provided by Philippe Feret of The Social Bakery, French wine, musical offerings with a French flair, and a chance to pose for a photograph in front of the Eiffel Tower to commemorate the festivities.
Watch your email for the link to make your reservations beginning February 16th. Your $100 payment secures your spot and helps to support the HHSO’s vast musical and educational offerings in the Lowcountry. You may purchase tickets for your friends as well; tickets are non-refundable but are transferable. Seating is limited.
Anne Millhaem & Laura Kling, Co-Chairs
Heather Cherichella, Beth Curtis, Becky Hauk, Terry Hicks, Nancy Millette
Spring Fundraiser Committee
| CALLING ALL LEAGUE MEMBERS: REMINISCENCES, PICTURES AND MORE |
| As we plan our League’s 30th anniversary celebration, one of our goals (aside from having a great time) is to highlight our members, league events, and stories that have contributed to making our league such an outstanding organization and achieve extraordinary support for the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. Help us make this a great celebration! Are you a long-time league member – over 20 years? Let us know! Do you have a great story to share about league activities? Tell us the story! Do you have a picture of any early League fundraising event? Pass it along! An anecdote about an occasion you would love to see shared? Share it! Famous fact about the League? Reveal it! Just email me Dahlia Handman at ddhandman@gmail.com or call me at 207-408-1559. |