Thank you to Ball Chair Tabby Ragland and the 2022 HSOG Ball Committee for a Ball evening to remember! The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild established the Symphony Ball as a major fundraiser for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra in 1964. Young women invited to debut at the Symphony Ball are college sophomores with a history of community involvement. Since its inception, the Ball has raised more than $2M to support orchestral music for the community.
The 2022 Symphony Ball Committee honored our fourteen Advisors at a Cocktail Party on Sunday, August 28th at the lovely home of Ashley and Bill Mitchell. Our Ball Advisors are Mike Ahearn, Jimmy Boyce, Mac Crane, Ralph Hornsby, Bill Lunsford, Dan Maxwell, Matt Meyer, Robert Moores, Larry Parker, Ward Ragland, Robbie Robinson, Randy Roper, David Skidmore and Steve Thornton. We are so thankful to these fourteen distinguished men for serving as our Advisors this year.
On July 30th, the 2022 debutantes enjoyed a morning of fun at Edelweiss Farm.
The 2022 Debutantes had a blast at their recent Dancing with the Debs party on July 18th. Debutantes and their guests received professional instruction on a few fun dances.
The 2022 Symphony Ball Debutantes continue to enjoy their summer season socializing at different parties. On Tuesday, June 14, they experienced an interior design presentation and boxed luncheon with Beverly Farrington at Interiors by Design.
On Monday, June 27 they were treated to a cooking and entertaining lesson by Chef James Boyce while enjoying a delicious five course meal.
The 2022 debutantes are enjoying their fun and creative themed parties this season. They opened the season with a flower arranging party on June 02, 2022.
The debutantes fine tuned their pastry chef skills at their cake decorating party on June 07, 2022.
On June 12, 2022, the debutantes enjoyed lunch and a painting party at The Ledges.
The beautiful 2022 debutantes and their presenters worked on perfecting their curtsies and waltzing skills.
The 2022 Symphony Ball may be many months off but preparations are well on the way. This year’s ball will be held at the VBC-South Hall on October 29, 2022.
The 2022 Symphony Ball Committee held their Kick-Off Meeting on April 1, 2022 at The Ledges.
The first Debutante Mothers’ Meeting was held on April 13, 2022 at the beautiful home of Sarah Gessler.
The Debutante/Presenters Event was held on May 19, 2022 at the VBC.
The Debutante Service Project was held at The Ledges on May 20, 2022.
Press Release For further information, call
From Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild Jennifer Lapidus, 256-520-6175
September 11, 2018
The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild’s long-standing tradition continues in 2018, as Symphony Ball Chairwoman, Debbie Washburn, named her Ball advisors for the year and hosted them at an end-of-summer social on Sunday, August 26, 2018. 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.
To show appreciation for their service to the Guild, Debbie and her Ball Committee hosted the men and their spouses at an Advisors’ Dinner party in their honor at the home of Debbie and Ben Washburn. Dinner food provided by Bruce Roy of Belle Fleur, included an outstanding menu including a Five Peppercorn Beef Tenderloin Carving station with Cocktail Croissants and Horseradish Sauce, Shrimp and Chicken Creole with Saffron Rice, Bacon wrapped Almond Dates, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, and Prosciutto wrapped Mango. The desserts were delicious Mini Cheesecake Bites with Praline and Chocolate Sauce Toppings and Embassy Key Lime Pie.
The Symphony Ball will be held on October 27th in the Von Braun Center North hall. It will be the 55th Ball held to benefit our community by supporting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild established the Symphony Ball as a major fundraiser for the orchestra in 1964.
First row…Randy Roper, Brian Scholl, George Lewis. Ben Washburn, Patrick Robbins Second row…John Wilmer, Ken Rivenbark (master of ceremonies), Norm Tew, John Johnson, Richard Clay, Carl Humphries
First row… George Lewis, Randy Roper, Brian Scholl, Debbie Washburn, Ben Washburn, Patrick Robbins 2nd row… John Wilmer, Ken Rivenbark (MoC), Norm Tew, John Johnson, Richard Clay, Carl Humphries
The 2018 Symphony Ball advisors are as follows:
Dr. Richard Lloyd Clay is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Heart Center. He is married to Julie Huettel Clay. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Museum of Art. Professional associations are Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Diplomate of the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons. He has been honored as the physician of the year for the American Heart Association. Richard’s hobbies are golf, travel, collecting art and he is an audiophile.
Dr. Carl Arthur Humphries, is a Doctor of Medical Dentistry who established his practice in Arab, Alabama. He is married to Luanne Shivers Humphries. Carl is a member of the American Dental Association and the Alabama Dental Association. He enjoys gardening, landscaping, fitness and traveling to his favorite destination in Key West, Florida.
Dr. John Dee Johnson, Jr. is a Neurosurgeon at SportsMED and is married to Kim Floyd Johnson. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board Member 2005-2015, Auburn University College of Science and Mathematics Advisory Board and Von Braun Center Board of Control. John is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons. His hobbies are family travel, hiking, biking and scuba diving.
Mr. George Edson Lewis is a Colonel, US Army retired. He is married to Anne Carns Lewis. His civic interests and activities include Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville and Burritt on the Mountain volunteer. George is a member of the Military Officers Association of America. He enjoys travel and reading.
Mr. Patrick Adair Robbins is the Director of Professional Services Revenue Cycle at Huntsville Hospital. He is married to John Christopher Wesley. Patrick’s enjoys the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and has served on the Board of Trustees, Thrive Alabama former Board member and volunteer. His hobbies are music, reading and pottery.
Mr. John Randolph Roper is owner of Randy Roper Interiors. His civic interests include serving as President of the Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association, and he is a past member of Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board and the Foundation Board of the Huntsville Museum of Art. Randy’s honors include Path of Honor, Senior Center; Honoree at 1st American Diabetes Association Roast and a recipient of the Nell Oliver Award, Huntsville Museum of Art.
Dr. Brian Michael Scholl is an Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon at The Orthopaedic Center. He is married to Catherine Ritter Scholl. His civic interests include being a member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board. Brian is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. His hobbies are fishing, hunting, reading, astronomy and computers.
Mr. Norman Edward Tew is Vice President and General Manager, Boeing Missile and Weapon Systems. He is married to Kathi Goedert Tew. His civic interests and activities include Greengate School for Dyslexia Board President, Auburn University Research Advisory Board, and Hudson Alpha Ambassador. Norm’s honors include Aviation Week’s Defense Grand Laureate Award (2015, 2018), National Space Club’s Nelson P. Jackson Award (2018), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Leadership Excellence (2017), Auburn University Electrical Engineering Alumni of the Year (2018), Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. Norm’s hobbies are jet skiing, coin collecting, gardening and golf.
Dr. Thomas Benton Washburn, Jr. is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Heart Center. He is married to Deborah Glover Washburn. His civic interests include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees. Ben’s professional associations include Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Member of Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Diplomate of the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons. He was honored to be the American Heart Association’s Physician of the Year 2017. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, knife and firearm collecting.
Mr. John Anthony Wilmer is a Shareholder at Wilmer and Lee, P.A. He is married to Sylvia Tucker Wilmer. His civic interests include the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce: Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI). John’s professional associations are the Alabama State Bar; Huntsville-Madison County Bar; Pennsylvania Bar Association; Huntsville Industrial Group (HIG), Executive Director, 2014 – present. His honors include Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2016; Lawyer of the Year, 2014 and 2015 in Huntsville and Madison County; Best Lawyers in America, 2007 – present; Alabama Super Lawyers, 2010 – present; AV rated for Preeminent Lawyers, 36 continuous years. John and Sylvia enjoy traveling.
Master of Ceremonies: Dr. Kenneth Ray Rivenbark is owner of Rivenbark & Roper Antiques. Ken is a 20-year veteran educator who has served as a national education consultant with an emphasis on training educators in the teaching of writing and was listed in “Who’s Who Among Top Teachers“ in 1998, 2005 and 2007. In 2006, he authored “Poetry and Prose Prompts: A Quick Guide to Teaching Writing Style.” He created and hosted the cable television show “Southern Heirlooms with Ken Rivenbark” from 2014-2017. Ken is a graduate of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County, Class 22. He serves as an Ambassador for Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology and a member of Downtown Huntsville, Incorporated. Ken has served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Governor’s Mansion in Montgomery, the Huntsville/Madison County Library Foundation Board of Directors, and the Advisory Board of the Greater Huntsville Humane Society, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees and the Huntsville Museum of Art Foundation Board of Directors. Ken is a member of Church of the Nativity in Huntsville.
