Members of Matinee Musicale enjoyed a special treat Wednesday afternoon in celebration of American composers.
Marianna Madden on flute, Nancy Smith on oboe, Carolyn Sturdivant on clarinet and Tom Sturdivant on tenor saxophone played several numbers in celebration of American songwriters.
The short business meeting and concert took place at the American Legion Hut on East Claiborne Street to celebrate American Music Month, said Pann Powers, one of the club's members.
American Music Month's goals are, she said, "to promote American music throughout our nation, to further create an interest in American music, to provide opportunities for people to experience American music and to stimulate American musicians to compose music."
This is accomplished in various ways, including an award, sponsored by the American Society for Composers and Performers, given to a local club that best promotes American music throughout the year. First place receives $500 and second place receives $250.
Members enjoyed "Beautiful Dreamer," written by Stephen Foster in 1864, believed the last song written by the composer only a few days before his death. They also hear "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" by L. Wolf Gilbert and Lewis F. Muir. This 1913 song was a hit by Al Jolson.
Other songs included "Linus and Lucy," by Vince Guaraldi, better known as "The Peanuts Theme" from the cartoon specials. The quartet also played "Lady Bug Blues" by Lennie Niehaus, a jazzman and close friend of Clint Eastwood. Niehaus scored several of Eastwood's movies, including "Blood Work" and "Space Cowboys." The final selection for the afternoon was from the movie "Hatari" and called "Baby Elephant Walk," by Henry Mancini, also known for his movie scores.
Hostesses for the meeting were Cathy Jennings, Mary McNeil and Trudy Lindsey. Barbara Short was the chairwoman of the hostess committee.
The day's events were also attended by DeLeslyn Fleming, the oldest member of Matinee Musicale, who joined when the group was only 30 years old, back in 1936.
"It was the most prestigious organization in Greenwood at the time," she recalled.
