Front row (left to right): Patrick Robbins, Ed Rush, Nancy Colin (2015 Ball Chair), George Smith, Steve Thornton
Back row (left to right): John Johnson, Richard Van Valkenburgh, Ronald Reed, Skipper Colin
Not pictured: Randy Roper, Andrew Jeffrey Albert

A long-standing tradition of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild continues in 2015 as Symphony Ball Chairwoman, Nancy Colin, named her Ball advisors for the year and hosted them at an end of summer social.

A select group of the community’s distinguished men in positions of civic leadership are chosen annually to provide business and financial advice to the Ball Chair and support the event.

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild established the Symphony Ball as a major fundraiser for the orchestra in 1964, and since the earliest balls, advisors have stepped up to the plate, figuratively and literally.  To show appreciation for their service to the Guild, Nancy and her Ball Committee hosted the men and their wives at an Advisors’ Cocktail Party, held at the home of Jay and Dana Town.

A large silver stand filled with whole fresh fruits, including pineapple; watermelon; and grapes, decorated the center of the dining room table.  Cocktail food, provided by Ina Rosa of Chef on Call, included an assortment of scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and desserts, such as southwestern dip in mini tortilla cups, Cajun shrimp on skewers, beef teres major on crostini, chicken wrapped in bacon with apricot sauce, Caesar salad en croustade, pecan squares, lemon and key lime tarts, and chocolate ganache cakes.

The 2015 Symphony Ball advisors are as follows:

Andrew Jeffrey Albert is President and CEO of AJA, Inc.  His spouse is Ivy Downs Albert.  His civic interests include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra; the Huntsville Museum of Art; Boy Scouts of America, past Board of Directors (Alabama); veteran’s organizations; and animal welfare charities.  His professional associations include Association of the U.S. Army, National Defense Industrial Association, and Project Management Institute.  He has earned numerous military honors.  His hobbies include golf, computing technologies, and cars.

Ernest Wellwood Colin, Jr. is retired after 32 years with Teledyne Brown Engineering in a variety of engineering disciplines and management positions.  He completed his career serving with the United Nations as Chief Weapons Inspector in Iraq.  His spouse is Nancy George Colin.  His past civic interests include volunteering with Meals on Wheels, United Way of Madison County, Honduras medical missions, and Church of the Nativity and the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama.  He has served as the Restoration Project Manager at Church of the Nativity (National Historic Landmark), where the project received 2 international awards and a local historic award.  He has also received a variety of other awards during his career. His hobbies include genealogy, travel, gardening, reading, music, sports fan, collecting art, and showing his classic automobile.

Dr. John Dee Johnson, Jr. is a neurosurgeon with Sports Med.  His spouse is Kim Floyd Johnson.  Their children are Emory Brennis Johnson, Elizabeth Marie Johnson, and John Dee Johnson, III.  His civic interests include Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees, 2005-2015; Auburn University College of Science and Mathematics Advisory Board, 2005-Present; Leadership Huntsville/Madison Class 15; and Huntsville Committee of 100, 2004-2010.  His professional associations include Huntsville Hospital Chairman of Surgery, 2012-2014; American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1998-Present; Southern Neurosurgical Society; and Medical Association of the State of Alabama.  His hobbies include travel and photography.

Ronald Elwyn Reed is a financial representative with Northwestern Mutual.  His spouse is Daphne Thompson Reed.  Their children are Ronald Douglas Reed, David Elwyn Reed and Sarah Catherine Reed.  His civic interests include past board member of Von Braun Center Board of Control, past president of Huntsville Council of PTAs, past trustee of Blue Ridge School for Boys in Charlottesville, Virginia.  His professional associations include the Million Dollar Roundtable, Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, and Huntsville Rotary Club.  Hobbies include family, golf, and working in the yard.

Patrick Adair Robbins is the Director of Professional Services Revenue Cycle Management at Huntsville Hospital.  His spouse is John Christopher Wesley.  His civic interests include Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees, Church of the Nativity, and Thrive Alabama (AIDS Action Coalition).  His honors include Chairman of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees.  His hobbies include singing, pottery, reading and current events.

John Randolph Roper is the owner of Randy Roper Interiors.  He is president of Twickenham Historic District Association, member of the Weeden House Committee, past member of the Foundation Board of Huntsville Museum of Art, past member of Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees, and past member of the Board of School of Interior Design at Auburn University.  Honors include Senior Center Path of Honor and Honoree for the first American Diabetes Association Roast.

Dr. John Edwin Rush is a retired physicist.   His spouse is Donna Lee Rush.  Their children are Michael Edwin Rush, John Robert Rush, and Victoria Lee Shirey Rush Hinton.  His civic interests include Friends of the Library, supporter of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, and supporter to local brass bands.  Honors include Alumnus of the Year, Snead Junior College, 1972; Outstanding Young Men of America, 1972; NASA Summer Faculty Fellow, 1978, 1979, 1981.  His hobbies include music and reading.

George Autry Smith, II is a partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP.  His spouse is Lee Anne Parker Smith.  Their children are Julia Bickley Johnson and Morris Malone Johnson, III.  His civic activities include member of Huntsville Rotary Club (Board of Directors 2013-present), member and Board of Directors of The Arc of Madison County, and member and Board of Directors of First Commercial Bank of Huntsville.  Professional Associations include member of the Huntsville/Madison County Bar Association and member of the Alabama Law Institute.  His hobbies are reading, running, and CrossFit training.

Steven Curtis Thornton is a founding partner of Smith Thornton Advisors, LLC.  His spouse is Patricia Bragg Thornton.  Their child is Abigail Claire Thornton.  His civic activities include current Commissioner of Huntsville Sports Commission; and Secretary, Board of Directors, Habitat for Humanity of Madison County. Past activities include 2000 graduate of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County; Board of Directors, United Way of Madison County; President, Huntsville High School Soccer Boosters Club; and Board of Directors, Mayfair Park.  His professional associations include Investment Management Consultants Association and National Association of Plan Advisors.  His hobbies include golf, reading, water, and snow sports.

Richard Powell Van Valkenburgh, Jr. is President of Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Properties, Inc.  His wife is Nancy Wilkinson Van Valkenburgh.  Their children are Victoria Van Valkenburgh Norris, Julie Van Valkenburgh Lockwood (Mrs. Robert Carter Lockwood), and Sarah Lauren Van Valkenburgh Kattos (Mrs. Andrew Nicholas Kattos), each a Symphony Ball Debutante.  His civic interests include longtime member and past president (3^rd generation) of Huntsville Kiwanis Club; member and past chairman of Historic Huntsville Foundation (HHF); past Chairman of HHF’s Harrison Brothers’ Management Committee; lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, member of Sanctuary Choir, and Trustee; member of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce CEO groups; and 2015 Huntsville-Madison County Masters’ Leadership Class.  His professional associations include holding all officer positions of the Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS (HAAR), including President in 2004; served as State Director and in all executive officer positions of the Alabama Association of REALTORS, serving as President in 2013; served as Director of the National Association of REALTORS and on the NAR Communications Committee; member of the Council of Residential Brokerage Managers (CRB), including President of the Alabama Chapter.  Honors he has received include 2005 REALTOR of the Year for the Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS and the Alabama Association of REALTORS, and 2010 recipient of the Robert Jemison Award for distinguished service to the Alabama Association of REALTORS.  In joint resolutions, the Alabama legislature commended Richard for his service to the Alabama Association of REALTORS, to his community, and to both he and Nancy on their golden wedding anniversary.  His hobbies include music (an accomplished guitarist), singing, and spending time with his 6 grandchildren.

   Jerry W. Nutt is the announcer and master of ceremonies for the 2015 Symphony Ball.  He is the Director of Development for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.  His wife is Dorrie Adams Nutt. Their children are Michael Scott Nutt and David Alon Nutt.  He is a past chairman of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board, Huntsville Community Chorus Board, and is Vice Chairman of the Board of the Greater Huntsville Humane Society.  His hobbies include singing with Ars Nova Opera, Huntsville Community Chorus, and the Nativity choir.

The Symphony Ball will be held October 24  in the Von Braun Center North Hall.  It will be the 52^nd  Ball held to benefit to our community by supporting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

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Each year the Symphony Ball debutantes participate in a community service project as part of the beginning of the debutante season.  Proceeds from the Symphony Ball benefit the Symphony Orchestra.  To highlight music and community service, this year the event joined efforts with two local organizations for their service projects:  Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Huntsville Hospital Foundation.  The Service Project, which was held Friday,  the 22^nd of May,  2015, started with the debutantes gathering at the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra office wearing coordinating T-shirts.

Julie Noles, immediate-past Education Director of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, led the debutantes in their first service project of the day, as they cleaned the violins for the Huntsville Symphony School’s third grade violin program.  Ms. Noles provided a history lesson to the group on the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony School and provided an impromptu violin lesson. While the debutantes were busy cleaning violins, they were entertained by the music of five young members of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra.

The young ladies then boarded the 1920’s vintage-inspired downtown Huntsville trolley for a ride to the campus of Huntsville Hospital.  They were first served lunch, catered by former debutante LeeLee Wiginton from Lyn’s Gracious Goodness, at the Huntsville Hospital Plaza Resource Center.  Candy Burnett, President of Huntsville Hospital Foundation, shared “tips for success,” concerning resumes, interviews, first impressions, integrity, etc.  They then walked across the street to the Hospital, where they divided into two groups.  One group served refreshments to families in the Surgery Waiting Room and in the ICU Waiting Area.  Huntsville Symphony Orchestra’s harpist, Katherine Newman, serenaded everyone in the ICU Waiting Area.  The second group put together packages containing crayons and coloring books that were illustrated by the late Bill May, father of Debutante Hughston May.  The two groups then switched projects, and each group performed the other task. The coloring books will be given to Huntsville Hospital patients visiting the Pediatric Emergency Room and those in both the Pediatric Unit and the Pediatric ICU.

Huntsville Hospital Foundation employee Jordan McMullan, who coordinated the hospital visit, is also a former debutante.  Debutante Service Project coordinators from the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild were Lori Gregory, Bobsy Ingram, Elaine Pollard, and Karen Kimbrough.  The young ladies will formally be introduced to the community during the 52^nd Symphony Ball on October 24.

The debutantes thoroughly enjoyed their busy day.  The Billy Joel quote on the T-shirt summoned up the event:  “I think music in itself is healing…it’s something we are all touched by.  No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”

Julie Noles

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Randy Roper, Phillip and Katie Vest, Mike and Sarah Reagan Tepool

An exciting season is underway for the Debutantes of 2015.

On Thursday evening, May 21st at Valley Hill Country Club, debutantes and their presenters attended a training seminar designed to enhance the beauty and pageantry of the formal presentation of the 2015 Symphony Ball, set for October 24, 2015.

Symphony Ball Chairman, Nancy Colin, welcomed the debs and presenters.  Announcement photographs of the debutantes were taken by Ball photographer, Mark Jaeger.

The evening’s events were organized by Debutante/Presenter Event Chairman Josie Craig.

Long-time advisor to the Symphony Ball, Randy Roper, provided instruction to the debutantes and their presenters on formal presentation and the curtsy.

Dance instruction was provided to the debs and presenters for a choreographed waltz to be performed the night of the Symphony Ball.  They will dance to the Artist’s Life Waltz, by Johann Strauss II.  The dance was choreographed by Keren Gibb of Alabama Youth Ballet.

On the evening of the Ball, October 24, immediately after the presentation of the debutantes and waltz with their presenters, former debutantes of the Huntsville Symphony Ball over the past fifty years will be invited to join the 2015 debutantes in a special dance.

The Symphony Ball, sponsored by the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild since 1964, is an annual fundraiser benefitting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

Dale and Sarah Gwin Moore

Stephanie and Scott Gilbert

Anna Catherine and Greg Brooks

Hughston May, Mark Thornton

Joie and Ray Tucker

Ben and Lauren Stevens

Dr. David Lee, Jordan Lee

Allyson Nuwayhid, Dr. Ramsay Nuwayhid

Bill and Mary Gray Lindstrom

Dr. Troy Layton, Lauren Layton

Emily Moody, Nancy Colin (2015 Ball Chair), Ivy Albert, Pamela

2015 Symphony Ball debutantes and their mothers enjoyed a lovely afternoon Tea Wednesday, May 20th at the beautiful home of Guild member, Emily Moody.  The previous year’s Ball Chairman hosts the annual event; and this year, Pamela Gann continued the tradition.  The Debutante Tea marks the official start of the Debutante social season.

Attending the event were the 33 young women who will make their debut at the 52nd Symphony Ball, October 24, together with their mothers, and members of the 2015 Ball Committee, past Guild Presidents, and past Ball Chairmen.

Guests were greeted by Emily and Pamela, along with 2015 Ball Chairman, Nancy Colin, and Symphony Guild First Vice President, Ivy Albert.  A silver wine cooler filled with beautiful spring flowers graced the entryway as guests arrived.  The silver container was given in 1993 by past Ball Chairmen, in memory of Robin Lanier Stewart, 1988 Ball Chairman.  It has been used every year at the Debutante Tea since 1993.

The young women enjoyed catching up after their freshman year of college as they enjoyed the delicious tea menu selected by Pamela. The Tea was catered by Narvell and included a variety of delicacies, including chicken salad tartlets, dainty cucumber sandwiches, petite tea sandwiches, mini buttermilk pies, stuffed strawberries, and other sweets.  The centerpiece was a towering arrangement by In Bloom, with beautiful spring flowers of pink tulips and roses, purple accents and bright green Bells of Ireland.  Punch was served by past Ball Chairmen and past Presidents Penny Bashore, Stacey Gardner, Carole Jones, Sheryl Livingston, Suzanne O’Connor, Debbie Overcash, Donna Shergy, and Amelia Summerville. 

The young ladies and their mothers looked over scrapbooks of previous debutante years.  They shared plans for the summer season parties and looked forward to the community service projects and their own celebrations.

The Symphony Orchestra Guild sponsors the Symphony Ball each year as a fundraiser for Huntsville’s professional orchestra.

Katie Russell, Kim Russell-Wright, Sarah Gwin Moore, Beth Moore

Julie, Lauren, and Betsy Lowe

Lisa and Laura Layton, Laurel and Camille Shockley, Mary Morgan and Cam Plott

Laura Ragland, Mary Margaret Ragland, Lauren Stevens, Susan Stevens, Stephanie Gilbert, Jodi Rutenberg

Beth Wise, Brenda Milberger, Theresa Taylor

Cathy Lee, Jordan Lee, Melinda Marona, AnnaMarie Marona

Allyson Nuwayhid, Leah Honkanen, Mary Morgan Plott

Keeley McMurray, Sarah Reagan Tepool, Camille Shockley, Hughston May, Cate Rasco

Mallory Castellow, Anna Catherine Brooks, Mary Witty Crump, Katie Vest, Mary Margaret Ragland

Stacey Gardner, Brenda Milberger, Debbie Overcash, Carole Jones

Leah Honkanen, Lauren Stevens, Joie Tucker, Mary Morgan Plott

Front row, left to right:
Stephanie Gilbert, Katie Vest, Katie Russell, Mary Margaret Ragland, Mary Scott Pearson
Back row, left to right:
Lauren Stevens, Cate Rasco, Sarah Gwin Moore, Hughston May, Mary Gray Lindstrom

Front row, left to right:
Mary Morgan Plott, AnnaMarie Marona, Callie Bragg, Susan Purvis, Allyson Nuwayhid
Back row, left to right:
Joie Tucker, Camille Shockley, Jordan Lee, Mallory Castellow, Leah Honkanen

Front row, left to right:
Anna Catherine Brooks, Cameron Seeley, Sarah Reagan Tepool, Lauren Lowe, Abbie Rodgers
Back row, left to right:
Mary Witty Crump, Madeline Rushing, Keeley McMurray, Anna South, Lauren Layton
Not pictured:
Lily Brooks, Emily Ann Clemons, Emily Lapidus

Valley Hill Country Club provided scenic vistas for photographs of the 33 young women who will make their debut at the 2015 Symphony Ball on October 24^th.  The young women enjoyed their first week of the season with three activities: the Debutante Tea at the home of Mrs. Jon Rice Moody, a special Debutantes and Presenters event at Valley Hill Country Club, and two service projects: one for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the other for Huntsville Hospital.  They continue the time-honored Huntsville tradition, which begins anew this summer.

The Symphony Ball, held since 1964, is an annual major fundraising event for Huntsville’s own professional orchestra.  It entails many hours of work by the event sponsor, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild.  Nancy Colin is chairwoman of the 2015 Ball, and this year will be the 52^nd Ball.

The 2015 debutantes, having completed their freshman year at college, look forward to an exciting season of social activities with their families and friends.  The Symphony Ball season will culminate with their debuts at a gala event on October 24^th in the Von Braun Center North Hall.

Following is a list of the 2015 debutantes, their parents, their high schools, and colleges:

Callie Christina Bragg, 18, daughter of  Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vann Bragg, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Anna Catherine Brooks, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Gregory Brooks, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Lily Margaret Brooks, 18, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Timothy Brooks, Huntsville High School, Mississippi State University;

Mallory Frances Castellow, 18, daughter of Mrs. Carl Lowe Castellow and the late Mr. Carl Lowe Castellow, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Emily Ann Clemons, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Alan Clemons, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Marian Witty Crump, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bryant Crump, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Stephanie Nicole Gilbert, 19, daughter of Ms. Jodi Louise Rutenberg and Mr. Scott Edward Gilbert, Grissom High School, Auburn University;

Leah Jeane Honkanen, 18, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Frank Andrew Honkanen, Randolph School, University of Georgia;

Emily Rachel Lapidus, 19, daughter of Mrs. Alissa Cohen Lapidus and Mr. Michael Louis Lapidus, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Lauren Alis Layton, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Troy Alan Layton, Randolph School, University of Mississippi;

Jordan Akin Lee, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David Alan Lee, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Mary Gray Lindstrom, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Collier Lindstrom, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Lauren Elizabeth Lowe, 19, daughter of Mrs. Huettel Lowe and Mr. Peter Loftis Lowe, Jr., Randolph School, University of Alabama;

AnnaMarie Marona, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wayne Marona, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Hughston Elizabeth May, 18, daughter of Mrs. William Sterling May and the late Mr. William Sterling May, Decatur High School, University of Alabama;

Keeley Malone McMurray, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley David McMurray, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Sarah Gwin Moore, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Elmo Moore, Huntsville High School, Birmingham Southern College;

Allyson Elizabeth Nuwayhid, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ramsay Paul Nuwayhid, Randolph School, Samford University;

Mary Scott Pearson, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Calvin Pearson, Jr., Madison County High School, Auburn University;

Mary Morgan Plott, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Dwight Plott, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Susan Will Purvis, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark Thomas Purvis, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Mary Margaret Ragland, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rowland Ragland, Jr., Huntsville High School, University of South Alabama;

Catherine Joseph Rasco, 18, daughter of Mrs. Dowdle Rasco and Mr. Mark Alexander Rasco, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Abbie Porter Rodgers, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Stanley Rodgers, Mountain Brook High School, University of Alabama;

Madeline Jewel Rushing, 19, daughter of Mrs. Tate Rushing and Dr. David Lee Rushing, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Mary Katherine Russell, 19, daughter of Mrs. Kimberly Russell-Wright and Mr. Daniel Lewis Russell, Jr., Huntsville High School, Birmingham Southern College;

Cameron Ann Seeley, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Burton Seeley, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Camille Nicole Shockley, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Lynn Shockley, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Anna Grace South, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher McLeod South, Bishop England High School, Clemson University;

Lauren Grace Stevens, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Richard Stevens, Randolph School/Excalibur Christian School, University of Alabama at Birmingham;

Sarah Reagan Tepool, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Alan Tepool, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Josephine Ann Tucker, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond McEachern Tucker, Grissom High School, Troy University;

Katherine Hill Vest, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Lee Vest, Huntsville High School, Auburn University.