THE LEAGUE OF THE HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WISHES YOU A VERY HAPPY SUMMER! SEE YOU NEXT SEASON!
A HAPPY END OF SEASON NEWSLETTER
MAY, 2016
FROM THE LEAGUE PRESIDENT – STAN COOKE
As the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra concluded its 34th season, The League held its final board meeting on May 9th and will now take a few months of well-deserved rest! This, of course, does not mean that committees will not continue to meet, planning the events for the 35th season. Foremost will be the committees working on the Kitchen Tour and the Musicales. Mark your calendars now for the Berkeley Hall Kitchen Tour on September 25th. The League cookbook of appetizers (Overtures) and desserts (Encores) has gone to press and will be on display at the Kitchen Tour.
This has been an exceptional year of volunteerism from everyone as demonstrated by the outstanding events and their resulting contribution to the Symphony of $65, 300. Hats off to the League! Congratulations are also in order to Carol Gyllenhoff, our Volunteer of the Year. Best wishes to Susan Parrish as she retires from the board after many years of service. In conclusion, we welcome two members to the board—Barbara Holmes and Char Long.
Have a wonderful summer and be ready to put on your volunteer hats this Fall to support our incredible symphony!!
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE – FROM CHAIR MARGUERITE MILETIC
We ended the 2015-2016 season with 416 members, 54 of whom were new. We are processing applications for 2016-2017 and are hoping that those who have not renewed will do so soon. We want the directory as up-to-date as possible and we want YOU in it. If you have misplaced the application or have a friend who would like to join, the application is available on the web at hhso.org/league or call me at 843-689-2246. Remember, only League members are invited to Musicales and I am sure next season will be as spectacular as this one was. The League is a great way to make friends and support our wonderful orchestra!
MUSICALES HIT A NEW HIGH – FROM CHAIR MARY PRINCING
The 2015-1016 Musicale season was a grand success! Its success was due in large part to the dedication of staff, musicians, and volunteers—all working together to make this 15th anniversary season special and memorable. In particular, I would like to thank and pay tribute to the following:
Mario Incorvavia, Vice President for Operations, HHSO, for his creative programming and the musicians for their excellent performances;
Polly and Ed Byrd, Mary and Mike Briggs, Elizabeth and Brock Rowley, Mona and Joe Huff, Candi and Tom Hough, and Nancy and John Diamond for graciously opening their homes to us;
Our capable kitchen hostesses including Eleanor Fall, Ruth Russell, Peggy Arrington, Lorene Thornberry, Beryl Lamotte, Ginger Caporal, Sigi Rutherford and their army of willing volunteers;
Kim Nelson, our faithful kitchen assistant;
My dedicated committee, Nancy Hudak, Marguerite Miletic, Stan Cooke, Peter Forbes, and Bill Clark, whose expertise, experience, and unfailing good humor made my job a pleasure.
The hard work and dedication of our staff, musicians, and volunteers would be for naught without YOU, our wonderful audience. To one and all, thank you for your participation and your continued financial support. YOU have helped to make Musicales the League’s most long lasting and popular fundraising event.
We appreciate your comments and suggestions and you may be sure we will take them into account as we begin planning for next year’s season. Invitations to the 2016-2017 Musicales will be mailed at the end of the summer. Watch your mailbox and return your request form promptly as these events fill quickly.
ANOTHER GREAT INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION – FROM CHAIR BOB KOENIG
The culmination of the 2016 Hilton Head International Piano Competition occurred on Monday, March 14th, with our three finalists performing concerti by Beethoven and Rachmaninoff with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Morris Russell. After a week of wonderful music by our 20 competitors, Changyong Shin of South Korea emerged as the first prize winner followed by Tristan Teo of Canada, and Sae Yoon Chon, also of South Korea, respectively. Audience members were treated to a wide range of outstanding piano music from Bach to Rzewski!
For the first time, we took the first three rounds of competition to the world-wide stage with live streaming on the internet. Statistics show that over 7,000 people in more than 58 countries viewed the competition for a total of over 2,000 hours. Shortly, performances by all the competitors of the first three rounds will be available on HHIPC’s YouTube channel for your listening pleasure.
This competition could not happen without the wonderful support provided by the League volunteers. A total of 55 League member volunteers (including 5 new members) were over 50% of our total volunteer corps.
Our “Piano Palooza” event was also a great success with all six of the painted pianos being sold at auction, with two pianos from the local high schools being donated back to the schools. The auction covered our costs, gave 20% to the artists, with a bit left over, and raised awareness of the competition in a colorful way!
The 2017 competition is March 6-11 and features 20 of the world’s most exciting artists, ages 13-17. We look forward to your joining us then to applaud this amazing talent!
THE BEAUTIFUL FASHION SHOW – FROM CHAIR LOIS HOYT-BERRY
The sixth annual fashion show sponsored by the League was yet another successful event. The luncheon, served by the extraordinary Sea Pines Country Club staff, was a perfect menu for a ladies luncheon. Members of the League modeled lovely clothes from S.M.Bradford’s four stores. The models answered any questions about their outfits as they strolled among the tables. The auction (which Ryanne, the Events Manager of Sea Pines, says was the biggest and best run auction she has had) added to the proceeds of this well-attended fundraiser. Our only regret is that we had to turn away more than 50 more guests because we were filled to capacity. Obviously it will be important to get your reservation in early next year to enjoy this popular event!
NEW PLAN FOR POST CONCERT RECEPTION BIG SUCCESS – FROM CHAIRS SUE FORREST AND PHYLLIS PATTERSON
The new and very successful plan for hosting the Post Concert Receptions was implemented for the 2015-2016 season. Each of the receptions was hosted by League members of local communities as well as by both the League and Symphony Boards. The participating communities included Hilton Head Plantation, Moss Creek, Palmetto Hall/Port Royal, Sea Pines, Long Cove/Windmill Harbor, and The Cypress/Tide Pointe. Without exception, the refreshments as well as the graciousness of the hosts was par excellence. We will be continuing this plan for the 2016-2017 Post Concert Receptions and are looking forward to another season of volunteered time and delicious goodies from our generous League members!
AN AWESOME ADDITION/EDITION – FROM CHAIR TOY MERGLER
A tireless and dedicated committee has been hard at work on the League’s latest fundraising effort, a cookbook. OVERTURES AND ENCORES, a collection of appetizers and sweets by League members, went to press on May 15th. The final book will be back in time for the Kitchen Tour in September. So get your Christmas list ready as this will be a wonderful gift for family and friends. To all League members and friends who contributed recipes, a big Thank You, and to the committee—Ellen Taylor, Carol Gyllenhoff, Stan Cooke, Suzy Stetson, Mary Princing, Nancy Hudak, Marguerite Miletic, and Sally Kingree, more thanks than there is room for on this page!!
THE FINALE OF A TERRIFIC YEAR- THE SPRING FLING – FROM CHAIRS SUSAN PARRISH AND DONNA ZORGE
Spring Fling is both our Annual Meeting and an opportunity to celebrate and thank the many members of the League who give of their time and talent to benefit the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. The dedicated, hardworking, and caring League members are vital to the success of our activities. The hours of service given by our volunteers provide funds to the HHSO to keep the music playing. The Volunteer of the Year Award for 2015-2016 was presented to Carol Gyllenhoff by Board President Stan Cooke. Carol’s effort as chair of Kitchens of Note and the fashion show auction greatly aided our organization. Spring Fling 2016 was held in a new venue—the Indigo Hall. It was ideal with a large covered outdoor space and a lovely inside area with ample space and seating. The buffet had a variety of delicious appetizers and desserts and the staff was pleasant to work with, both in planning and in presentation.
We learned this year that it is important to check the calendars of other organizations as The Cypress and Memory Matters had events the same evening as ours which impacted our attendance. Nonetheless, there was so much to celebrate this year and all present would agree that this was accomplished in style!!
4TH YEAR “KITCHENS OF NOTE” AT BERKELEY HALL – FROM CHAIRS LOIS WILSON AND JULIE WILLIAMS
One of the League’s most popular fundraising events returns for an encore the last Sunday in September. Gather your friends and make plans to drive to beautiful Berkeley Hall for what will be a memorable afternoon of gourmet food and unique kitchens. Just 15 minutes from the foot of the bridge, this community is surely one of the Lowcountry’s finest. And NO TROLLEYS!!! This is a self-driving tour!!!
Six gracious hosts will open their kitchens for viewing. They represent a range of styles—from traditional to cutting-edge contemporary. Kitchens with a Tuscan flair, English country style, and a 21st century contemporary aesthetic will be on display. There is something for everyone’s taste.
The event attracts the area’s finest chefs, six of whom will be on-site serving delightful bites of their creation. There will even be wine in one home. We are especially pleased to feature some of the new restaurants in Bluffton. This growing community is rapidly becoming a ‘foodie destination’.
We are offering tickets first to The Orchestra family. This event always sells out so act now to reserve your place. The link below will take you to the HHSO website where you can click on the Kitchens of Note logo and download a reservation form. It’s simple: Print the form, fill it out and mail to the address listed. Unsold tickets will go on sale to the public this summer. If you wait, you may miss the boat!! Every year we disappoint dozens of loyal Orchestra supporters who waited too long!!
Contact Julie Williams by email or phone. We can’t wait to welcome you to the League’s Kitchen Tour. BON APPETIT!! Julie Williams 843-343-2199 or Juliewilliams574@gmail.com
That’s it for 2015-2016!
Lots of Good News and Much Gratitude to Stan Cooke and his Board. Stan Conducts Effective, One Hour Board Meetings With Everyone Contributing.
THANK YOU STAN!
The new Board says goodbye to stalwart member, Susan Parrish and welcomes Barbara Holmes and Char Long!
2016-2017 Board:
CAROL GYLLENHOFF, VP FUNDRAISING
DAVID THEOBALD, ASST., FUNDRAISING
GAIL KAESS, VP VOLUNTEERS
FRAN HUBBELL, TREASURER
BARBARA HOLMES, SECRETARY
SUE FORREST, PHYLLIS PATTERSON, CONCERT RECEPTIONS
TOY MERGLER, COOKBOOK ,SPRING FLING
BOB KOENIG, INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION’
MARY PRINCING, PETER FORBES, MUSICALES
CHAR LONG, FASHION SHOW
MARGUERITE MILETIC, MEMBERSHIP
NANCY HUDAK, NEWSLETTER
We hope YOU will be inspired to join this hard-working board to keep the music playing! It will truly be a worthy use of your precious time!!