Southern Hospitality ClefWorks’ gift of music soothes, inspires hope

John and Maria Ashmore, left, ClefWorks musician Gabriela Diaz, and Stephen and Suzanne Davidson, right, hosted a ClefWorks House Concert last week at their Montgomery home.

ClefWorks, the city’s newest chamber music organization, rang in the new year by giving the gift of music as it began its second season in the River Region with a focus on outreach.

The group’s theme, “Stay Tuned 2008,” reflects the surprises to come during the year, the first of which was delivered last week during two noteworthy events.

Conceived as a way to bring world-class chamber music and local arts to people of all ages, ClefWorks took off after a coffee table conversation two years ago. Last year’s premiere season included a 10-day festival and a series of house concerts.

Another casual night in the series of rendering spectacular music in small settings was hosted recently at the Old Cloverdale home of Suzanne and Stephen Davidson.

Billed as “chamber music with a twist,” guests were invited for an evening of appetizers and etudes -- an intimate musical experience and a great opportunity for leaders of four area nonprofit organizations to celebrate their mutual fight against cancer.

Davidson, an oncologist and medical director of clinical research at the Montgomery Cancer Center, offered the venue for the special night to enrich working relationships, which in his opinion, will ultimately benefit patients, families and caregivers of those battling or coping with cancer.

The Davidsons’ guests gathered in the couple’s living room near a beautiful grand piano for a night of Mozart that was performed by special guest and violinist Gabriela Diaz. A ClefWorks musician who performed here in the Capital City during the organization’s premiere season, Gaby was joined by her mother, Betty Anne Diaz, an accomplished pianist, and her father, Manuel Diaz, another world-class musician.

Gaby, who arrived from Boston, began her musical training at a young age, studying piano with her mother, and the next year, violin with her father. As a teenager, she waged her own personal battle with cancer, and has since been committed to cancer research, lending her talents to a wide range of related programs and organizations.

A grant has enabled her to organize the Boston Hope Ensemble, a series of chamber music concerts in cancer units at various hospitals in Massachusetts. Gaby brought that commitment and format to Montgomery encouraging her parents and ClefWorks musician Katerina Juraskova to join her in reaching out to those affected by cancer.

Special guests

The ensemble enthralled listeners during the special evening at the Davidsons. There, ClefWorks board members joined attendees representing the Montgomery Cancer Center, the Joy to Life Foundation, the Mid-South Division of the American Cancer Society, the Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama and Women of Hope. ClefWorks board president Elmore DeMott and her husband, Miles, helped the Davidsons welcome the special guests, including Susan Bruchis, executive director of the Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama; the foundation’s board president, Gina Dickinson, and her husband, Bill Dickinson; Jamie Donaldson, executive director of the American Cancer Society and her husband, Joe; the society’s health initiatives representative, Luella Giles, and her husband, Larry; Rebecca Habermann of Birmingham, the field health initiatives director of the Mid-South Division of the American Cancer Society; and Maria Ashmore, president of Women of Hope, and her husband, John. Among those also in attendance were Ken Stephens and his wife, Leah, who will take on the role as ClefWorks’ executive director in June. Other attendees included ClefWorks advisory board members Wendi Lewis and Camille Leonard, who enjoyed the evening with her husband, Jim; Montgomery Cancer Center representatives Terry Lynn Jeffcoatand her husband, Sherrill; Venty Butts and his wife, Pansy; Terri and Harry “Mac” Barnes, Keith Thompson, William Helvie, Allison and Michael Ingram; and Montgomery Symphony Orchestra conductor Thomas Hinds. All enjoyed the wonderful music during the inspiring evening and later mingled in the dining and breakfast rooms, where tables were laden with delicacies prepared by Ted Nobles. Amid tenderloin of beef, marinated Gulf shrimp, steamed asparagus, bacon-wrapped chicken medallions, imported cheeses and seasonal fruits, ClefWorks advisory board member Bob Vardaman arranged vases of terra cotta-colored roses, dark lavender stock and Casablanca lilies. The blossoms were also included in a beautiful arrangement designed for the occasion and placed just inside the entrance of the home.

The power of music

Guests had a preview of the enchanting music patients at the Montgomery Cancer Center enjoyed throughout the following day. Forging a private bond with patients, Gaby Diaz played her favorites until well after sundown, offering soothing string melodies to those in the center’s treatment rooms throughout the morning. In the late afternoon, patients were joined by their family members, cancer center staff members and guests who enjoyed Gaby’s music in the renovated patient waiting area. Katerina Juraskova added Bach favorites to the repertoire, while Manuel Diaz joined in with his viola for a special father-daughter duet with Gaby -- another special moment of the day. Diaz family friend Kay Newman of Montgomery was among those on hand for the late afternoon gathering. Patients were enchanted by the music that seemed to permeate the building. Among those witnessing the special event were ClefWorks board members Lister Hubbard and Don Rickard; ClefWorks Advisory Board members Winky Dowdle, Lisa Capell, Janet Waldo and many others.

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What’s next

Stay Tuned 2008 hit a high note during the two days of beautiful performances last week -- a demonstration of how ClefWorks touches people of all ages through the power of music. The treat for area cancer patients marked the launch of ClefWorks’ 2008 outreach programs. As the organization’s mission is to promote chamber music and music education, others will be encouraged to “Touch the Music and Hear the Art” near the end of the month. ClefWorks musicians and volunteers plan to lend an artistic hand to Booker T. Washington Magnet High School, Carver Elementary, Halcyon Elementary and the Cultural Arts Center at the Cleveland Avenue YMCA. Sterling Bank continues it support of ClefWorks in this second season as the Bravo Sponsor, with additional support being provided for the programs by the Central Alabama Community Foundation, Winky Dowdle, Brewbaker Motors and Atlantic and Pacific City Loft Corporation. Stay tuned.

Deborah Hayes Moore covers society news for the Montgomery Advertiser. Reach her by voice mail at 956-0254, by fax at 288-6404, or by e-mail at dmougins@aol.com.