Month: December 2015

Dec

15

2015 Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild Silver Tea

 

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Each holiday season, our homes fill with excitement, togetherness and tradition. This holiday season, all of these elements came together once again for the 2015 Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild Silver Tea.

The 50th Anniversary of the Silver Tea, which is a major fundraiser for the Huntsville Youth Orchestra, was held recently, and, as always, the Silver Tea offered a magical and elegant afternoon. Guests enjoyed the ambiance of a beautiful setting and the music of some of the area’s most talented young musicians.

The lovely home of Mr. and Mrs. Michael William Wicks located at 600 Eagles Ridge Place was the site of this year’s tea. The home was decorated throughout and provided each guest with a warm, festive, holiday atmosphere. The elegance of the home offered the perfect environment for the Huntsville Youth Orchestra to perform and friends to reconnect. Catering was provided by Sallie Ennis and Betty Lankford and the presentation of all the delectable treats was stylish and festive.

As guests arrived for the holiday event, Karen Morris, 2015 Silver Tea Chairman, and her committee welcomed them to a very special afternoon of music, delicious tea foods and warm hospitality. Young musicians from the Huntsville Youth Orchestra performed an array of music and entertained guests as they mingled.

Members of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra Board, Deborah Brown and Bruce Zeiger, as well as Guild President Debbie Washburn and Hostess, Christine Wicks also welcomed guests as they arrived,

Other members serving on the committee with Karen were Advisor, Theresa Taylor; Catering Liaison, Amelia Summerville; Cloak Room, Pat Cross; HYO Liaison, Ashley Walker; Invitations, Marie Newberry and Donna Shergy; Data Base, Joyce Griffin and Dana Town; Past President Punch Bowl, Debbie Overcash; Silver Bowl, Linda Akenhead; Volunteers/Hostesses, Karen Higgins and Margaret Anne Crumlish; Transportation/Security, Darla Malueg; Reservations, Elizabeth Herrin; Publicity, Sandy Knowling and Lisa Cole. Also providing time and assistance were Mr. Tim Malueg, The Rev. John Ryberg and Mr. Sanford C.Morris Jr. who kindly took time from their professional careers to greet guests and help them from their cars to the entrance.

Much to everyone’s joy, members of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra presented a mixture of popular holiday tunes and standard classical works. The afternoon performers were scheduled by HYO Executive Director, Deborah Brown and included; Gabriel Abrantes (violin), Jonathan Abrantes (violin), Anna South (cello), Maleah Ghem (viola), Katherine Reardon (bass).

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild is an organization whose primary purpose is to provide support for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. The organization is celebrating its 55th year of existence and looks forward to helping support the Orchestra and community. The Silver Tea is held annually as a benefit for the Huntsville Youth Orchestra. It has provided significant support for the young musicians throughout the years.

The 2015 Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild's Silver Tea was held at the lovely home of Mr. and Mrs. Michael William Wicks on Eagles Ridge Place.

The 2015 Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild’s Silver Tea was held at the lovely home of Mr. and Mrs. Michael William Wicks on Eagles Ridge Place.

Deborah Brown, Debbie Washburn, Christine Wicks, Karen Morris, Bruce Zeiger

Deborah Brown, Debbie Washburn, Christine Wicks, Karen Morris, Bruce Zeiger

Debbie Washburn, Elizabeth Herrin, Naomi Dubois, Debbie Overcash

Debbie Washburn, Elizabeth Herrin, Naomi Dubois, Debbie Overcash

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Dec

03

2015 Symphony Ball

Front Row: Anna Grace South, Camille Nicole Shockley, Emily Rachel Lapidus, Josephine Ann Tucker, Susan Will Purvis, Mary Scott Pearson Second Row: Lily Margaret Brooks, Lauren Grace Stevens, Mary Morgan Plott, Allyson Elizabeth Nuwayhid, Mallory Frances Castellow, Stephanie Nicole Gilbert, Cameron Ann Seeley Back Row: Sarah Gwin Moore, Katherine Hill Vest, Hughston Elizabeth May, Mary Katherine Russell

Front Row: Anna Grace South, Camille Nicole Shockley, Emily Rachel Lapidus, Josephine Ann Tucker, Susan Will Purvis, Mary Scott Pearson
Second Row: Lily Margaret Brooks, Lauren Grace Stevens, Mary Morgan Plott, Allyson Elizabeth Nuwayhid, Mallory Frances Castellow, Stephanie Nicole Gilbert, Cameron Ann Seeley
Back Row: Sarah Gwin Moore, Katherine Hill Vest, Hughston Elizabeth May, Mary Katherine Russell

Front Row: Lauren Elizabeth Lowe, Sarah Reagan Tepool, Callie Christina Bragg, Abbie Porter Rodgers, Mary Margaret Ragland, Jordan Akin Lee Second Row: Marian Witty Crump, AnnaMarie Marona, Leah Jeane Honkanen, Madeline Jewel Rushing, Lauren Alis Layton, Keeley Malone McMurray, Anna Catherine Brooks Back Row: Mary Gray Lindstrom, Catherine Joseph Rasco, Emily Ann Clemons

Front Row: Lauren Elizabeth Lowe, Sarah Reagan Tepool, Callie Christina Bragg, Abbie Porter Rodgers, Mary Margaret Ragland, Jordan Akin Lee
Second Row: Marian Witty Crump, AnnaMarie Marona, Leah Jeane Honkanen, Madeline Jewel Rushing, Lauren Alis Layton, Keeley Malone McMurray, Anna Catherine Brooks
Back Row: Mary Gray Lindstrom, Catherine Joseph Rasco, Emily Ann Clemons

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild had the honor of presenting 33 young women on Saturday, October 24, in the Von Braun Center North Hall at the 52nd Symphony Ball. Over 770 patrons, guests, friends and family attended the formal presentation and enjoyed “An Enchanted Southern Evening.” This year’s Ball was chaired by Nancy Colin.

The Von Braun Center North Hall was transformed into a colorful vision of shades of pinks, corals, and greens.  Guests entered the North Hall through curtains of a shimmery coral fabric, adorned with cascading bouquets at the top corner of the swags.  At the entrance, consoles covered in the same fabric were topped with an array of clear glass vases containing monochromatic floral arrangements of different varieties and floating candles in glass pillars.  Inside the North Hall, tables were covered in coral cloths that reflected a subtle golden hue.  Table arrangements were “antiqued” silver compotes containing hydrangeas, varying shades of pink roses, and bells of Ireland; while other tables were highlighted with cylindrical glass bowls containing low arrangements of the same flowers.  The stage was draped in a cloud of white silk taffeta with double-tiered swags above.  A focal point of the hall was a white canopy of taffeta that appeared to float above the entire length of the dance floor.  The room was awash with a blush glow of light.  As they were presented, Debutantes carried bouquets of the debutante rose, Latin Ambiance.  Floral designer was Carl Casiday of Lola’s, Sheffield, Alabama.

An invocation was delivered by Richard Van Valkenburgh, Jr.; and Jerry Nutt, Emeritus Member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Association Board of Trustees, served as Announcer for the Ball.  The Symphony Orchestra strings and trumpets provided the perfect music during the cocktail hour, followed by the debutante presentation and a waltz with the debutantes and their fathers. The Craig Duncan Orchestra never sounded better as everyone danced the night away.

Guests enjoyed a formal dinner of sliced pear salad and mixed greens with pear vinaigrette, filet of beef with roasted red pepper sauce, scalloped potatoes, bacon wrapped grilled asparagus, and Marsala mascarpone mousse with chocolate beignets.

Following are the 2015 Symphony Ball debutantes, their parents, presenters and escorts.

Callie Christina Bragg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vann Bragg, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Albert Edward Willis III.

Anna Catherine Brooks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Gregory Brooks, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. William Jackson Fite, junior.

Lily Margaret Brooks, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Timothy Brooks, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. John Reed Miller.

Mallory Frances Castellow, daughter of Mrs. Carl Lowe Castellow and the late Mr. Carl Lowe Castellow, presented by her uncle, Mr. David Kenneth Johnson, and escorted by Mr. Daniel Austin Robertson.

Emily Ann Clemons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Alan Clemons, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Taylor Vincent Jennings.

Marian Witty Crump, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bryant Crump, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. John McCurry Monroe.

Stephanie Nicole Gilbert, daughter of Ms. Jodi Louise Rutenberg and Mr. Scott Edward Gilbert, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Jacob Oliver Dean.

Leah Jeane Honkanen, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Frank Andrew Honkanen, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Grant Adcock Johannes.

Emily Rachel Lapidus, daughter of Mrs. Alissa Cohen Lapidus and Mr. Michael Louis Lapidus, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. John Clay Pruett.

Lauren Alis Layton, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Troy Alan Layton, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. John Carey Oliver.

Jordan Akin Lee, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David Alan Lee, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Gerrit Sander Vanderwerff.

Mary Gray Lindstrom, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Collier Lindstrom, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Miller Smith Jackson.

Lauren Elizabeth Lowe, daughter of Mrs. Huettel Lowe and Mr. Peter Loftis Lowe, junior, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Richard Eugene Markwalter III.

AnnaMarie Marona,  daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wayne Marona, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Christopher Alan Burgoon.

Hughston Elizabeth May, daughter of Mrs. William Sterling May and the late Mr. William Sterling May, presented by her uncle, Mr. Roderick Mark Thornton, and escorted by Mr. Jorge Will Clements.

Keeley Malone McMurray, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley David McMurray, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Peyton McDaniel Davis.

Sarah Gwin Moore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Elmo Moore, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Cole Holland Watt Milberger.

Allyson Elizabeth Nuwayhid, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ramsay Paul Nuwayhid, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Luke Nathanael Hamm.

Mary Scott Pearson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Calvin Pearson, junior, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Kyle Fulton Yokley.

Mary Morgan Plott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Dwight Plott, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Ryan Robert Jones.

Susan Will Purvis, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark Thomas Purvis, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Colin Walker Finnell.

Mary Margaret Ragland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rowland Ragland, junior, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Timothy Leo Carruthers.

Catherine Joseph Rasco, daughter of Mrs. Dowdle Rasco and Mr. Mark Alexander Rasco, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Thomas Kurt DeLay, junior.

Abbie Porter Rodgers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Stanley Rodgers, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Peter Loftis Lowe III.

Madeline Jewel Rushing, daughter of Mrs. Tate Rushing and Dr. David Lee Rushing, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. John Crawford Harper.

Mary Katherine Russell, daughter of Mrs. James Oliver Wright and Mr. Daniel Lewis Russell, junior, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. William Reid Sisk.

Cameron Ann Seeley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Burton Seeley, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Matthew Roger Bell.

Camille Nicole Shockley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Lynn Shockley, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Lucas Maximillian Damian.

Anna Grace South, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher McLeod South, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Alexander Bennett White.

Lauren Grace Stevens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Richard Stevens, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Dino Srabovic.

Sarah Reagan Tepool, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Alan Tepool, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Austin Gray Hughes.

Josephine Ann Tucker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond McEachern Tucker, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Ryan Douglas Lee.

Katherine Hill Vest, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Lee Vest, presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Charles Gann Nelson.

Serving as marshals were Robert Joseph Darden, William Andrew Glenn, Richard Anderson Hamm, junior; Nathan Hayes Ludwig, William Self Propst III, Jeffrey Ross Suwarow, John Connor Suwarow, and John Wildsmith Thornton.

The 2015 Ball Advisors were Andrew Jeffrey Albert, Ernest Wellwood Colin, junior; Dr. John D. Johnson, junior; Ronald Elwyn Reed, Patrick Adair Robbins, John Randolph Roper, Dr. John Edwin Rush, George Autry Smith II, Steven Curtis Thornton, and Richard Powell Van Valkenburgh, junior.

Committee members included Pamela Gann, Advisor and 2014 Ball Chairman; Debbie Washburn, Guild President; Betsy Lowe, Debutante Presentation; Amelia Summerville and Theresa Taylor, Arrangements; Ivy Albert, Ball Secretary; Donna Rush, Sallie Ennis, and Cara Greco, Debutante Tables; Patti Thornton, Lee Anne Bostick, and Anne Compton Burke, Decorations; Beth Wise, Finance; Donna Shergy, Linda Akenhead, and Karen Kiss, Food and Beverage; Daphne Reed, Honorarium; Ann Rivard, Cathy Scholl, and Kim Johnson, Invitations; Brenda Milberger and Debbie Overcash, Marshals and Escorts; Lee Anne Smith and April Russell, Photography; Nancy Richardson and Suzanne O’Connor, Programs; Pennie Keene, Julie Malone, and Wendy Tucker, Properties and Take Down; Sharon Gartrell and Janet Skidmore, Publicity; Susan Todd and Paige Prozan, Reservations; Cynthia Masucci, Scrapbook; Lori Gregory, Bobsy Ingram, Karen Kimbrough, and Elaine Pollard, Debutante Project; Josie Craig, Debutantes and Presenters Event.

The Symphony Guild sponsors the debutante program annually as a fundraiser for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

Young women invited to debut at the Symphony Ball are college sophomores with a history of community involvement.

Since its inception, the event has raised more than $2.7 million to support orchestral music for the community.

Front row: Andrew Jeffrey Albert, Ed Rush, Nancy Colin (Ball Chair), Richard Van Valkenburgh, Randy Roper, Patrick Robbins Back row: Steve Thornton, George Smith, John Johnson, Skipper Colin

Front row: Andrew Jeffrey Albert, Ed Rush, Nancy Colin (Ball Chair), Richard Van Valkenburgh, Randy Roper, Patrick Robbins
Back row: Steve Thornton, George Smith, John Johnson, Skipper Colin

Front row (left to right): Betsy Lowe, Ivy Albert, Amelia Summerville, Pam Gann, Nancy Colin (Ball Chair), Debbie Washburn, Suzanne O’Connor, Donna Shergy Second row (left to right): Sharon Gartrell, Donna Rush, Linda Akenhead, Debbie Overcash, Karen Kiss, Daphne Reed, Josie Craig, Anne Compton Burke, Patti Thornton, Lee Anne Smith, Janet Skidmore Third row (left to right): Kim Johnson, Beth Wise, Brenda Milberger, Lee Anne Bostick Fourth row (left to right): Theresa Taylor, Pennie Keene, Paige Prozan, Susan Todd, Lori Gregory

Front row (left to right): Betsy Lowe, Ivy Albert, Amelia Summerville, Pam Gann, Nancy Colin (Ball Chair), Debbie Washburn, Suzanne O’Connor, Donna Shergy
Second row (left to right): Sharon Gartrell, Donna Rush, Linda Akenhead, Debbie Overcash, Karen Kiss, Daphne Reed, Josie Craig, Anne Compton Burke, Patti Thornton, Lee Anne Smith, Janet Skidmore
Third row (left to right): Kim Johnson, Beth Wise, Brenda Milberger, Lee Anne Bostick
Fourth row (left to right): Theresa Taylor, Pennie Keene, Paige Prozan, Susan Todd, Lori Gregory

Dec

03

Debutantes honored at pre-Ball party

Symphony Ball debutantes and cousins, Hughston Elizabeth May and Catherine Joseph Rasco, were honored by their grandmother, Joan Dowdle, with a festive party on October 23rd, the night before they were presented at the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild’s 52nd  Debutante Ball.  Hughston is the daughter of Joanna and the late Bill May, and Cate is the daughter of Mark and Jeanne Rasco.  Helping with the event was Hughston and Cate’s aunt, Jan Thornton of Auburn, Alabama.  The Huntsville Symphony Guild Ball was a family affair this year for Joan.  In addition to two debutante granddaughters, Joan’s eldest grandson, John served as a Marshal.  John is the son of Jan and Mark Thornton.

While celebrating at the beautiful and historic Cedarhurst mansion, guests were treated to delicious food provided by Huntsville’s latest culinary sensation, Chef Brandon Crosby of Chuppertime Catering.  Brandon and his wife, Casey, prepared a wonderful assortment of food including pork sliders, Pepito Cheese Cornbread Bites, Mafia Meatballs, Bacon-wrapped Dates and Elvis Bread Pudding Bites –  a delicious blend of banana, honey and peanut butter.  While visiting with family and longtime friends, the debs and their escorts, Jorge Clements and Kurt Delay enjoyed listening to music provided by Huntsville’s Looking Back Band which featured musicians, Scott Ratliff and Tim Good.  Among Cate’s special guests was her escort’s family including Kurt’s mother, Shelley Delay, and his grandparents, Woody and Mackie Bethay.  Hughston’s special guests included her aunt, Terry Canterbury of Tuscaloosa, and longtime friends, Celia Gannaway and Taylor Brownfield.

Cate Rasco, Joan Dowdle, Hughston May

Cate Rasco, Joan Dowdle, Hughston May