The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild’s long-standing tradition continues in 2019, as Symphony Ball Chairwoman, Rosemary Latham, named her Ball advisors for the year and hosted them at an end-of-summer social on Sunday, August 18, 2019.  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, Rosemary and her Ball Committee hosted the men and their spouses at an Advisors’ Cocktail Party in their honor at the home of Pam and Tony Gann.  Dinner food was provided by Ina Rosa of Chef on Call and included an outstanding menu including Beef Teres Major; Shrimp & Kielbasa; Bacon Wrapped Chicken bites; Deviled eggs; Brie on Crostini; Gourmet Potatoes and Bayou Caviar.  The desserts were delicious fudge and lemon tarts and chocolate eclairs.

The Symphony Ball will be held on November 2^ndin the Von Braun Center North hall.  It will be the 56^thBall 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.  

The 2019 Symphony Ball advisors are as follows:

Dr. Robert Beaumont Akenhead is a Radiologist with Radiology of Huntsville.  He is married to Linda Casselman Akenhead.  His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, the Huntsville Museum of Art, and First United Methodist Church. His professional associations include the American College of Radiology and the American College of Physicians.  Rob’s hobbies include travel, photography and reading.

Mr. John Wheeler Allen is a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley.  He is married to Courtney Penney Allen.  His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Museum of Art Development Board as Finance Chair, Leadership Huntsville Connect Class 7, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees, Youth Basketball Coach, member of The Ledges, Mission Hills Country Club, and Sweetens Golf Club Golf Course Rater for Golfweek Magazine.  His professional associations include the Alabama State Bar.  John’s hobbies include reading, golf, travel, and anything his daughter Harper is interested in.

Dr. Kent Travis Chojnacki is manager of WASA/MSFC. Kent’s is married to Lara Isbell Chojnacki.  His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.  His professional associations include the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.  Kent’s hobbies include cooking and wine related pursuits.

The Honorable Loyd Hinton Little, junior is a retired Circuit Judge.  He is married to Margaret Pugh Little.  His civic interests and activities include Vice Chair, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Association Board of Trustees; Past President, Huntsville Rotary Club; Past President, Huntsville Madison County Bar Association; Former Member of Alabama Pattern Jury Instructions Committee; Faculty Member, Managing the Capital Case in Alabama (2008); Presiding Judge, Madison County, AL (2003-2006).  His professional associations include the Alabama Bar Association, the Huntsville Madison County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Buddy’s hobbies include golf, reading, and travel.

Mr. William R. Lunsford is a Shareholder with Maynard, Cooper, and Gale, P.C.  He is married to Ingrid Beech Lunsford.  Bill’s civic interests and activities include Chairman, For Life Ministries and Leadership Huntsville Connect Class 1.  His professional associations include the Alabama State Bar (Leadership Forum Graduation) and Vice President, Alabama Construction Industry Section.  His honors include 2018, 2019 named to “The Best Lawyers in America” and Stancil R. Starnes Award for excellence in trial advocacy. His hobbies include golf and fishing.

Mr. Lewis Cecil Price is President of Pearce Construction Company Inc.  He is married to Kathryn Wiley Price.  His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the Huntsville Museum of Art (past Foundation Board Member).  His professional associations include the Alabama Contractors Association, Business Council of Alabama, Huntsville Committee of 100, Downtown Huntsville Inc., and Executive Board Member, Greater Alabama Council, Boy Scouts of America.  His hobbies include wilderness canoe camping, hunting and fishing.

Mr. Christopher S. Rodgers is Shareholder in Lanier Ford Shaver and Payne.  He is married to Kimberly Porter Rodgers.  Chris’s professional associations include Madison County Bar Association and Alabama Bar Association.  His hobbies include hunting, fishing and Alabama football.

Mr. Robert Vandiver Rodgers is Partner with Ables, Baxter and Parker.  Robert is married to Emily Chase Rodgers.  His civic interests and activities include North Alabama Childcare Management and Church of the Nativity.  His professional associations include the Huntsville/Madison County Bar Association.  Robert’s hobbies include canoeing, reading new fiction, and history.

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 1^stAmerican Diabetes Association Roast and a recipient of the Nell Oliver Award, Huntsville Museum of Art.

Mr. David Wade Skidmore is a Commercial Real Estate Appraiser, Attorney, and farmer.  David is married to Janet Waites Skidmore.  He is a member of Southwood Presbyterian Church and a Board of Trustees member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.  David’s hobbies include spending time with family and faith-based philanthropy.

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.

2019 Symphony Ball debutantes and their mothers enjoyed a lovely afternoon Tea, Wednesday, May 15^that the home of Laura Malone.  The previous year’s Ball Chairman hosts the annual event and this year, Debbie Washburn continued the tradition.  The Debutante Tea marks the official start of the Debutante social season.

Attending the event were the 28 young women who will make their debut at the 56^thSymphony Ball, November 2^nd, together with their mothers, and the members of the 2019 Ball Committee, past Guild Presidents and officers, past Ball Chairmen, and the wives of the Ball advisors.  Guests were greeted by Debbie, along with 2019 Ball Chairman, Rosemary Latham, and Symphony Guild President, Patti Thornton.

The young women enjoyed catching up after their freshman year of college as they savored the delicious tea menu selected by Debbie.  The Tea was catered by Carlton’s Catering and included a variety of delicacies including country ham and biscuits, chicken salad in pastry shells, cheese ring with fresh fruit, tomato and cucumber sandwiches, cheese straws and toasted pecans, and variety of sweets that included strawberry and chocolate bites and iced lemon shortbread cookies.  Gracing the lovely dining room table was a beautiful blue and white Chinoiserie bowl with gold stand filled with an array of pale yellow and white Peonies, Freesia, spray roses, Oriental lilies and Hydrangeas accented with seeded Eucalyptus and Hypericum Berries arranged by Anne Compton Burke. This was the first peek at the containers that are going to be used at the 2019 Symphony Ball.  The floral theme continued with an arrangement in a treasured Guild silver wine cooler that was given in 1993 by past Ball Chairman, in memory of Robin Lanier Stewart, 1988 Ball Chairman.  It has been used every year at the Debutante Tea since 1993. Fruit tea punch and sparkling juice were served by past Ball Chairmen and past Presidents Linda Akenhead, Nancy Colin, Shelia Irby, Amelia Summerville and Betty Tomlin. Ball Committee members who greeted and served our guests were Susan Anderson, Anne Burke, Ashlee Duesing, Bobsy Ingram, Brenda Milberger, Jamie Saunders, Cathy Scholl, Janet Skidmore, Rosalie Smith and Kathy Williford.

The young ladies shared plans for the summer season parties and looked forward to the community service projects and their own celebrations.

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

The Von Braun Center provided a scenic setting for photographs of the 28 young women who will make their debut at the 2019 Symphony Ball November 2^nd. The young women enjoyed their first week of the season with three activities: the Debutante Tea at the home of Mrs. Laura Malone, a special Debutantes and Presenters event at the Von Braun Center, 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 the Huntsville’s own professional Symphony Orchestra.  It entails many hours of work by the event sponsor, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild.  Rosemary Latham is chairwoman of the 2019 Ball, and this year will be the 56^thBall.

The 2019 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 November 2^ndin the Von Braun Center North Hall.

Following is a list of the 2019 debutantes, their parents, their high schools, and colleges:

Catherine Dyar Ahia, daughter of Mrs. Conrad Shafer Ahia and the late Mr. Conrad Shafer Ahia, Westminster Christian Academy, Auburn University

Margaret Diane Bryant, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hall Blake Bryant III, Randolph School, University of Alabama

Savannah Sumners Cagle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Walker Cagle, Huntsville High School, Troy University

Jessica Lee Cape, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lee Cape, Huntsville High School, Auburn University

Audrey Lee Greenwood Clayton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Clayton, Laurel Springs School, University of Georgia

Elizabeth Bankston Creech, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen David Creech, Randolph School, Bryn Mawr College

Lauren Kate Dodd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Jonathan Dodd, Randolph School, University of Alabama

Sydney Summers Flesch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tracy Donald Flesch, Huntsville High School, University of North Alabama

Margaret Virginia Gardner, daughter of the Doctors Stacey Strickland Gardner and James Steven Gardner, Randolph School, Auburn University

Anne Elizabeth Hardin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Gray Hardin, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Alice Kathleen Henshaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Turner Henshaw, Huntsville High School, Belmont University

Margaret McKenzie Huckaby, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Gary Carlton Huckaby, junior, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Katherine Montgomery Hunter, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Vernon Ross Hunter, Randolph School, Southern Methodist University

Caroline Lamar Jewell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roald E. Jewell, junior, Huntsville High School, Arizona State University, Tempe Campus

Elizabeth Marie Johnson, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Dee Johnson, junior, Randolph School, Southern Methodist University

Katherine Lee Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Bryant Jones, junior, Randolph School, Auburn University

Olivia Kathleen Kattos, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kattos, Huntsville High School, Troy University

Caroline Emily Kattos, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kattos, Huntsville High School, University of North Alabama

Juliana Catherine Kattos, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Nicholas Kattos, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Mary Catherine Kelly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Todd Kelly, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama

Crosby Camille Loftin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Mark Salchert and Mr. and Mrs. Mr. Gordon Bartley Loftin, III, Randolph School, Auburn University

Sara Laine McNew, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ray McNew, Randolph School, University of Alabama

Margaret McCulloch Mitchell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Blake Mitchell, Randolph School, Samford University

Eve Kathryn Schoenrock, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Alan Schoenrock, Randolph School, United States Air Force Academy

Margaret Ruth Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Clay Smith, Episcopal School of Dallas, Elon University

Caroline Coleman Stucky, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Fred Sims Stucky III, Randolph School, Texas Christian University

Elizabeth Clay Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Winston Clay Walker, Randolph School, Auburn University

Lucy Margaret Yarbrough, daughter of Mrs. Julie Caneer Yarbrough and Mr. Malcolm David Yarbrough, Huntsville High School, Troy University

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild (HSOG) has announced the 28 young ladies who will be presented at the 2019 Symphony Ball. The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild has presented the ball annually since 1964 and is a major fundraiser for the symphony.

The HSOG Ball is a time-honored and gracious tradition that begins each summer with teas and parties. Rosemary Latham will serve as chairman of the 2019 Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Ball.

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild is pleased to announce the debutantes for 2019.

Catherine Dyar Ahia

Margaret Diane Bryant

Savannah Sumners Cagle

Jessica Lee Cape

Audrey Lee Greenwood Clayton

Elizabeth Bankston Creech

Lauren Kate Dodd

Sydney Summers Flesch

Margaret Virginia Gardner

Anne Elizabeth Hardin

Alice Kathleen Henshaw

Margaret McKenzie Huckaby

Katherine Montgomery Hunter

Caroline Lamar Jewell

Elizabeth Marie Johnson

Katherine Lee Jones

Caroline Emily Kattos

Juliana Catherine Kattos

Olivia Kathleen Kattos

Mary Catherine Kelly

Crosby Camille Loftin

Margaret McCulloch Mitchell

Sara Laine McNew

Eve Kathryn Schoenrock

Margaret Ruth Smith

Caroline Coleman Stucky

Elizath Clay Walker

Lucy Margaret Yarbrough

The Huntsville Youth Orchestra opened the 2018-2019 season October 21st at Trinity United Methodist Church. Four orchestras performed various works from ballets of Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, and others. The next concert is December 2nd and Randolph’s Thursber Auditorium. Several chamber ensembles will perform at the annual Silver Tea on December 6th.

A floral arranging party honoring the was given June 3, 2018 from 2pm-4pm in the afternoon at the home of Mrs. Darren Malone. After refreshments of mint tea, lemonade, cucumber sandwiches, summer fruits and petits fours, Charlotte Wessel of Buckets and Blooms skillfully instructed the young ladies in the art of assembling floral arrangements of coral roses, spray roses, astilbe, hydrangeas and Queen Anne’s lace in decorative white urns. Each young lady was presented with a pail filled with floral arranging supplies, Zinnia Seeds, floral inspired cookies and a delightful monogrammed apron in addition to the artful arrangement of their own creation. The lovely event was hosted by 2018 Symphony Ball Debutantes Miss Rachel Caudle, Miss Ella McCary, Miss Mary Leigh Oliver, Miss Alexa Nunn, Miss Liddy Malone, Miss Victoria Spera, and Miss Susannah Thompson. A good time was had by all.

Please join the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild for its 45^th Crescen-Dough Auction benefiting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. The Crescen-Dough Auction is Huntsville’s original and BEST auction. This year the auction will be held on Friday, April 13^th in the North Hall of the Von Braun Center starting at 6:00 p.m.

Guests of the Fantasy Auction will be transported to the wizardly world of Harry Potter. They will experience all of the magic from Harry Potter- from its iconic music played by the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, the Great Hall of Hogwarts, “Diagon Alley” for shopping, delicious Butterbeer, and a chance to bid on a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.

The Crescen-Dough Auction supports the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Access Symphony, and the education programs of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild. Since the auction began, it has helped raise over $3.7 million dollars in support of the HSO!

At the Fantasy Auction, guests will have a chance to win stunning jewelry, fabulous trips, beautiful artwork, unique parties, gifts and personal services. We have many opportunities for you to get involved – with over 400 fabulous finds in the Silent Auction, Items of Note, High Notes and Live Auction; to a chance of winning one of four prizes in the Drawing; supporting the HSO Young People’s Concerts in the Fund -A-Need; and playing the Magical Escape Game where you have a chance to win a trip worth $5,600 – there is something for everyone!

So please join us to support the auction, the symphony, and music education. To find out more about the Fantasy Auction, please visit our website at www.crescendoughauction.org. On the website you can purchase tickets to the event, make a donation, and preview some of our fabulous finds! Tickets are $85 per guest and includes a buffet dinner with four different food stations. Cash bar. Seating is limited so don’t miss out on this magical event!

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra (HSO) in conjunction with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild (HSOG) present the annual Young People’s concert series (https://www.hso.org/education-community/young-peoples-concerts/) to approximately 5,000 area fourth-graders, allowing them to explore a true symphony concert programmed just for them at no cost.

This year’s concert showcased a performance of Prokofiev’s colorful Peter and the Wolf. For this year’s event, the HSO partnered with Huntsville M.E.T. and Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre to present an fresh approach to Peter and the Wolf.