I’m very glad I chose to serve and, I think, be a part of helping us through some pretty heavy seas. I need to thank my entire Board of Directors for their help in our weathering the storm; my Executive Committee—Mike Harter, Ralph Drayer, Terry Orr, and Carol Hack—for the time, talent and treasure they have invested in our Symphony; a dedicated staff; and for the two President’s I’ve had the pleasure to work with: Mary Briggs and Alan Jordan.

As I mentioned in our initial “Overtures” newsletter, our “Unforgettable” 38th Season was stopped dead in its tracks by the COVID pandemic. Only a herculean effort by Mona Huff, International Piano Competition Director, her staff, and committee members brought this last piece of LowCountry entertainment to a safe and successful finale. Our 39th Season, my last as Chair, was a never-ending work in progress with some of the best thinking on your feet and making adjustments on the fly that I’ve seen in a forty-year business career! Alan, Mario Incorvaia, our dedicated COO, and I are all baseball fans. This past season, we saw any number of curve balls thrown at us but also a few Nolan Ryan fastballs thrown directly under our chin! I think they did a great job putting the ball in play and getting us around the bases. We played “small ball:” we brought you Monday evening live-streamed concerts of Jazz, music from the Great American Songbook, the beat of South America and a much needed and appreciated, by those from whom I heard, touch of patriotism when appropriate. We livestreamed all of our reworked concerts from our SoundWaves studio, providing, albeit, scaled-down performances for our patrons; and we were able—with a little luck from Mother Nature—to perform our Holiday Concert to small but enthusiastic crowds outdoors at SoundWaves.

The successful Holiday concert got us thinking, could we put together a concert series during the Spring and Summer performing from our patio? I’d like to thank JR and Leslie Richardson and their GM Lee Lucier for the wonderful support of their Coligny operation in making our Summer Jazz series popular! So popular that the Sheriff’s office and Town requested that we move the free concerts to the new Lowcountry Celebration Park; not quite as convenient, but it certainly provides plenty of space to enjoy the music. Speaking of Celebration Park, the HHSO orchestra under the direction of our esteemed maestro, John Morris Russell, kicked off our town’s return to some semblance of normalcy with a well-received concert for our patrons at the park on April 28. It was a very special evening!

The world’s a changed place; it’s our Orchestra’s and Board’s intent to bring a little normalcy back into all of our lives. It looks like our 40th Season and Mr. Russell’s 10th leading these fabulous musicians will be back at our long-time home, First Presbyterian Church; very welcome news. We’re back to making beautiful music.

There are two additional things that have gotten us through this remarkably difficult environment. One is SoundWaves.
I know our office/performance/rehearsal/multi-purpose space has not been without controversy. It took us time to understand how best to use the space and we continue to learn every day. I do hope everyone realizes that without SoundWaves, we would have been dark all this time—that building kept us making music. Second, we cannot function, in so many ways, without the support of our Symphony League. I went on the board with Lois Wilson after her successful run as League President. I’ve been blessed to work these last two years as Chair with Gail Kaess and Linda DeLuca, and I am enjoying getting to work on the League’s newest fundraiser, “Swing Fore the Symphony,” at Wexford Golf Club on November 15th with the new League President Candi Hough. Thank you to all League members and the Board. I hope some of you will join us for a great day of fun and golf at one of the premier addresses on our Island.

In closing, I leave this organization in the very capable hands of Alan and Mario, Mike Harter, our new chair, and a dedicated and hard-working staff and Board. Thanks for letting me serve; it was a helluva ride!

—Bob Cherichella, Chair, Board of Directors, 2019-2021

I fondly recall the Summer of 2018 when the HHSO family—thanks to the generosity of so many in this community—brimmed with excitement and anticipation, rallying around the imminent, yet construction-delayed, opening of HHSO’s new community facility. Simmering even earlier, the League of American Orchestra’s HUB newsletter picked-up a November 2017 Island Packet article heralding our innovative HHSO/Coligny partnership.

As most other start-ups tend to navigate, SoundWaves too toddled through teething years experiencing triumphs and challenges: incredible musical moments such as violinist Will Hagen in January 2019 for example—who by the way returns this season—and important realities to be accepted. Programming possibilities seemed endless: chamber music, piano recitals, jazz combos, cabaret singers, singer/songwriter originals, education activities, community partnerships. Even a monthly wine bar was discussed. My, those were ambitious days.

Fast forward to 2020. I think I speak for everyone when I mention that none of us had any idea how critical SoundWaves would become during this: collectively, the most challenging time of our lives. Faced with an unimaginable shutdown of all public activities, our skeleton crew of staff and invaluable volunteers sought and received donations, purchased necessary equipment, and transformed SoundWaves into the Island’s premier streaming location. SoundWaves saw its new, free SoundWaves Streaming Live! series lead the way through the Summer and Fall reaching tens of thousands of vtiewers with more than 50 weekly Monday presentations. The series included nostalgic monthly International Piano Competition archival revues and always an IPC audio gem for those who remained online during the streaming credits following the concert.

By 2021, rentals returned with streamed fundraisers for the Historic Mitchelville Freeedom Park Foundation and Memory Matters, and the Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island resumed in-person meetings with a weekly hybrid meeting format.

Thinking back, however, it was our Orchestra Series—which seemed to face the certain cancellation most other orchestras realized—that may have benefited most from SoundWaves. Salvaged by the creativity and savviness of Alan Jordan and John Morris Russell, HHSO’s planned subscription season was reinvigorated with a new, reimagined program of concerts. The term “reimagined” vaulted to the top of the orchestra world lexicon, becoming an industry standard that might have been best represented in HHSO’s unusual 20-piece chamber orchestra, socially distanced, and live-streamed subscription series. In the end, faithful subscribers were richly rewarded. All previously scheduled concerts were reprogrammed and delivered via our new streaming capabilities.

I fondly recall 2020-2021. Thanks to the generosity of so many in this community, we continue to brim with excitement and anticipation rallying around the return to unrestricted symphonic concerts at First Presbyterian Church, and of course, a full slate of jazz, cabaret, singer/songwriter, piano, and classical chamber music here at SoundWaves.

—Mario Incorvaia, HHSO Chief Operating Officer

Yes, the past twelve months have been the most unique and challenging for practically everyone and every organization, including the HHSO. While it is easy to focus on what was missed, lost, and messed up, the past season is one in which there is so much for which we should be grateful. I will not mention everyone—and I apologize now to those whom I forget—but I hope the following is pretty comprehensive.

If it wasn’t obvious before, it should now be clear to all that we have a truly remarkable staff.

John Morris Russell was as much a cheerleader as anyone; coming up with great replacement programs for the ones we were not able to present; conceiving, scripting, and directing our Orchestra Series livestreams, often adding big-league gimmicks he borrowed from the Cincinnati Pops. Mario Incorvaia is the Energizer Bunny: always there, ready to roll up his sleeves and get the job done, and often herding the various personalities that combine to create great performances. Jim Way is the human database of the HHSO: he knows every subscriber, single ticket buyer, donor, and volunteer.  Throughout the shutdown, Jim still came to the office every day, and on many Saturdays and Sundays, to keep the HHSO running. Our tireless HHIPC team, Mona Huff and Julie Williams, pulled off the impossible: mounting a successful BravoPiano! Festival with nine concerts over eight days in early June. Audiences and performers alike were so pleased that they could enjoy live music communally once again. Finance Manager Susan Strange kept the books current and accurate, even closing out our 2021 fiscal year just eight days after it ended. Gayle Lang, our Chorus Manager, proofer, and helper when needed, accomplished several important projects that our pandemic-reduced staff could not take on, and she maintained contact with our chorus members, keeping them apprised of our situation. Librarian Angie Loizides and Production Manager Matt Fallin kept music on the stands and stands, chairs, and other equipment in place for all of our Orchestra Series livestreams. Our SoundWaves livestream team of Carlton Pitts, Bill Gwynne, and Joe Chappell gave tirelessly each week to ensure as-close-as-we-could-get-to perfect Monday streams—keeping us top-of-mind locally and globally.

The Board of Directors remained a constant source of support, suggestions, direct-service volunteering, and encouragement. Monthly meetings occurred; first entirely virtual; then in hybrid form; and, eventually, in-person (while still distanced—thanks, again, to SoundWaves!). Directors tackled issues small and large, served as ambassadors and advocates to their neighbors and the wider community, and opened their pocketbooks whenever there was a need. Our Executive Committee, Chair Bob Cherichella, Vice Chairs Terry Orr and Ralph Drayer, Treasurer Mike Harter, and Secretary Carol Hack, could have been confused for staff, given the amount of time and energy they shared. Sandy Benson, Jim Collett, Stan Cooke, Beth Corry, Joan Dattelbaum, Linda DeLuca, Charlie Frost, Barbara Holmes, Martin Lesch, Mike Levine, Eric Magnin, Mary Princing, Alice Walton, Blake White, and Lois Wilson rounded out this stalwart group of volunteer leaders.

Special recognition is warranted for our outgoing Chairman, Bob Cherichella. Like everyone else, Bob was dealt a huge surprise in the second year of his term. Through all the craziness, Bob took things in stride, maintained strong but gentle (something that can be challenging for a 6’ 7” guy) control of all the people and personalities, and kept a smile on his face, which usually resulted in smiles on everyone else’s face. Bob was a great partner, confidante, and friend. I will miss his regular presence but have a sense he won’t be far away for too long.

Our standing committees continued to meet regularly, resulting in the successful BravoPiano! Festival, a new Racial Equality Statement and Action Plan, careful monitoring of the HHSO’s financial situation and a realistic FY22 operating budget and adequate fund raising to keep us buoyed. Our new e-newsletter hit supporters’ inboxes and kept them informed. In addition to members of the Board of Directors, our committees included Kevin Aylmer, Sue Blake, Mary Briggs, Scott Camp, Mike Caporal, Kathy Corley, Eileen Durkin, Jason Economides, Tacy Edwards, Joseph Farley, Lynn Gustafson, Dorothy Holmes, Joe Huff, Bob Koenig, Carol Liff, Jeanne Maguire, Nancy Minor, Peggy Moon, Jim Neumeister, Matt Peebles, Ed and Susan Parrish, Mona Ridge, Gerome Stewart, Jonathan Wright, and Kathy and Bill Zurilla. Our Advisory Council also maintained their quarterly meeting schedule, offering sage advice, experience, and great ideas. Chaired by Tim Ridge, the council included Darle Booher, Leslie Richardson, Charles Sampson, and Jim Willard.

Despite League members’ inability to hold any of their normal activities, the League Board remained active with regular e-meetings involving discussions on when and how to resume, and how to support the HHSO. In the end, they provided significant funds without the benefit of Musicales, Kitchens of Note, a Fashion Show, or any of their trademark events. President Linda Deluca was joined by Clair Craver, Peter Forbes, Carol Gyllenhoff, Terry Hicks, Candi Hough, Lois Hoyt-Berry, Gail Kaess, Nancy Millette, Nancy Minor, Linda Moloney, Mona Ridge, Lisa Marie Temple, Judy Walsh, and Kathy and Bill Zurilla.

Heather Witherspoon maintained contact with our great corps of ushers, scheduling volunteers to work our in-person Holiday Pops and LowCountry Celebration Park Park at Coligny concerts. While Mother Nature didn’t provide ideal conditions in November, she came through for a beautiful night for our volunteer corps in April.

We are grateful to Coligny Plaza and JR and Leslie Richardson for their understanding and support throughout the pandemic and shutdown.

Of all the constituencies of the HHSO, our orchestra musicians most bore the brunt of the financial impact from the pandemic and shutdown. Two Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loans made it possible for us to provide at least 60% of each regular status musicians’ annual wages, but that still meant a 40% reduction. For many, that loss was compounded by other performance organizations with whom they are also associated. We are glad we were able to engage many of our instrumentalists for the streamed and a few in-person presentations. Through it all, our musicians expressed gratitude for the HHSO’s efforts as well as the opportunities to perform with their colleagues once again, albeit, in less-than-optimal circumstances.

Our regular status musicians are:

Jonathan Aceto, Barbara Altman, Brad Behr, Christopher Bluemel, Barbara Borg, Michael Braz, Thomas Bresnick, Ann Cafferty, Jason Economides, Tacy Edwards, Phillip Ehrmann, Matt Fallin, Joe Farley, Russell Floyd, Micah Gangwer, Scott Garrett, Rafe Goldman, Vasily Gorkovoy, Anne Holmi, Frances Hsieh, Mario Incorvaia, Tomas Jakubek, Todd, Jenkins, Lorraine Jones, David Katz, Yuri Kholodov, Catherine Klimoff, Charmaine Leclair, Ryan Leveille, Lizhou Liu, Angela Loizides, Paul Lott, Stephanie Mason, Ray McClain, Charles Messersmith, Reid Messich, Taliaferro Nash, Brandon Nichols, Kelly Odell, Matthew Peebles, Carl Polk, Stephen Primatic, Lee Richey, Gretchen Roper, Kerri Sellman, Mark Sellman, Essena Setaro, Debra Sherrill-Ward, Katherine St. John, Gerome Stewart, Lauren Stuligross, Cynthia Sulko, Marina Volynets, Vadim Volynets, Jeff Watson, Mary Ann Watson, and Jonathan Wright.

To all those named above, and to those whom I forgot, a most profound thank you!

Lastly, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra could not have survived the pandemic and shutdown had it not been for the continuing support of our many patrons and contributors.  We are grateful to each and every one of you, along with the area businesses and foundations who maintained or, in some cases, increased their support despite limited recognition opportunities. We are also appreciative of the unique public support opportunities made possible through federal channels: in addition to the two forgiven PPP loans, the South Carolina Arts Commission and the Small Business Administration’s Shuttered Venue Operator Grant program provided much-needed emergency support to help keep the HHSO fiscally strong.

—Alan Jordan, President and CEO

The HHSO affirms that all races are equal. We intentionally and systematically support HHSO policies and practices in our organization that promote opportunities for full advancement of African-Americans and other marginalized groups that have been denied equal access and opportunity. Our local situation gives good historical example of the possibility for transformative change. That example is Mitchelville, one of our Lowcountry’s treasures. It was a bold and brave experiment of 1861, before the Emancipation Proclamation, in which formerly enslaved people were granted land and provisions to build homes and to establish a working town that was self-governing. The HHSO recognizes that self-governance and mastery depend on equal opportunity.

So, we seize the current adverse racial situation as our opportunity to become a positive change agent that will actively pursue diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all of our policies, programs, staff, committees, and Board.

The HHSO recognizes that racial inequity is systemic throughout our society. The HHSO therefore will examine its operations to address any racial inequality in our organization. We will work to eradicate any such adverse influence and to ensure that racial equality is integral to our mission and to implementation of our administrative and programming activities. We commit to all processes that will help us achieve our racial equity goal. We are committed to a racially inclusive approach in all that we do because we respect and value diverse racial heritages and know that hearing diverse voices will enrich what we have to offer.

Programs and Musicians: We shall schedule more performances of orchestral music by composers of color. We will be conscientious in recruitment, hiring, and advancement of musicians of color for all standard programs and competitions.

Staff:We will be deliberate in our effort to attract racially diverse staff in our recruitment and hiring activities and commit to providing equitable advancement opportunities for them.

Board of Directors:The HHSO Board pledges to seek increased representation of racially diverse directors and actively encourage opportunity for their Board leadership.

We respect diverse life experiences and work to ensure that all voices are heard and valued, and commit to creating a more comprehensive action plan that addresses diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for all marginalized groups.

Adopted August 12, 2020