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"By George" – A Tribute to George Gershwin
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
February 14 – 15, 2010

I had an amazing time singing with clarinetist Ken Peplowski and the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra (HHSO). Both nights were sold out in advance of the performances! And despite the unusually cold weather (at least four inches of snow in the surrounding area the day before), the climate indoors radiated with the warmth of music by the great George Gershwin.

The orchestra soared with conductor Mary Woodmansee Green's direction. I also enjoyed meeting and singing with the incomparable pianist and author, Bob Alberti. I loved it when someone in the audience said afterward that I "must be a Gershwin Specialist."

Songs in the program included:
Embraceable You
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Oh, Lady Be Good
How Long Has This Been Going On
Porgy & Bess Medley

While waiting in "the green room" on opening night, the thin sequined strap on a pair of shoes that I've worn only twice unexpectedly broke away from the shoe. Going against my better judgement that night of bringing a second pair of shoes to the concert and with no time to return to the hotel to retrieve them, my choices were either go barefoot (NOT!) or find a way to strap the shoes to my feet. A bassoonist's husband, an engineer, thoughtfully and successfully wove a string from a potato sack found in the kitchen through the strap. It worked and the string was barely visible! However, with only moments before the show, the sequined strap on the other shoe broke! Using gaffer's tape, the conductor quickly proceeded to carefully fold and wrap the black tape around both shoes to secure them to my feet — and for aesthetics' sake — make them "match." I am thankful for their help. The show started and I made it through the evening with my makeshift "new" shoes.

A highlight of the trip was seeing family members who drove in from the Atlanta area to hear the concerts. We enjoyed a late night meal together after the opening night concert and chatted over lunch the following day.

Rehearsing with the talented Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra

Shoe straps repaired with gaffer's tape five minutes before the show

Nice Work If You Can Get It from the Gershwin songbook

Porgy & Bess Medley – Clairdee, Ken Peplowski
and the Hilton Head
Symphony Orchestra

Oh, Lady Be Good
from the Gershwin songbook

Clairdee with conductor
Mary Woodmansee Green
and pianist Bob Alberti