Our News & Events

Feb

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild Wins Roundtable Award

From the Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras
For Outstanding Volunteer Project- Past Presidents Fund Committee

The Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras is pleased to announce that the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild has won a Roundtable Award in the annual Gold Book competition. The project was titled the Past Presidents Fund Committee. The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild supports the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. The award will be presented at the League’s 70thth National Conference this May in Cleveland, OH.

Fifty two women have served as President of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild. Many continue to work today with the Guild, as there is a deep love and respect for this organization. In 2001, past presidents gathered and expressed a desire to remain friends and stay active within the Guild. The idea of providing scholarships for deserving students in the string program of the Symphony School was born. Every year since, the past presidents have made contributions to the Past President’s Fund. When those funds reached endowment status, the past presidents began awarding scholarships to worthy young string students. Although there is a onetime Lifetime gift a past president may give, many continue with annual contributions. The past presidents of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild continue to further its mission of providing music education for young people.
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Feb

Young People’s Concerts

On Tuesday, February 4 and Wednesday, February 5, the 2015 Huntsville Symphony Orchestra’s Young People’s Concerts were held at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall of the Von Braun Center. These concerts are an annual educational event sponsored by Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild and other individuals and businesses in conjunction with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. This year, we were grateful to have Dana Town and SEA Wire and Cable as sponsors. We always look forward to this special event as our desire is to bring music to all area children with the ultimate goal of instilling in them a lifelong love of this art. With that in mind, we’re pleased to announce that this year’s concerts were attended by over 7,000 fourth-graders!

Gregory Vajda, HSO Music Director and Conductor, led the orchestra members in a beautiful performance of Listen! Watch! Play! along with a special piece performed by the winner of the Young Artist Auditions, Joey Li.

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Feb

Symphony Guild members honored!

Congratulations to our members who have been honored this year!

Nancy Richeson Siniard was recently named the female distinguished alumni of the University of Alabama for 2015

Donna Rush (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild past president) and Dorothy Davidson (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra sponsor) were recognized by the Women’s Economic Development Council Foundation as 2014 “Women Honoring Women” honorees.

Clare Grisham received a prestigious Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction Award

and Louise Heidish received the Christine Richard Lifetime Achievement Award. (This award honors the memory of a beloved community leader, and long-time HSOG member, whose contributions had far-reaching impact in the North Alabama area.)

We are so very proud of you!

Feb

Silver Tea 2014

Dr. and Mrs. James McMurray graciously opened their home for the 2014 Silver Tea.

Theresa Taylor, Deborah Brown, Jan McMurray, Beth Wise, Joe Lee.

Feb

Gold Book Roundtable Award

We have GREAT news to share!
The Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras has notified us that our project, The Past Presidents’ Fund Committee, has been selected for a Gold Book Roundtable Award. This is one of nine outstanding projects selected from submissions from all over the country and Canada to be recognized at the League’s National Conference in May 2015.

Dec

51st Symphony Ball

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild had the honor of presenting 39 young women on Saturday, November 1, in the Von Braun Center North Hall at the 51^st Symphony Ball. Over 875 patrons, guests, friends and family attended the formal presentation and enjoyed a beautifully traditional evening of “Isn’t It Romantic,” focusing on a glamorous, Hollywood style theme. This year’s Ball was chaired by Pamela Noller Gann.

Seated (left to right): Alexandra Ferguson, Bailey Geiger, Rachel Givens, Grace Greco, Lauren Hammond, Allie Hergert, Alexandra Herring
Standing (left to right): Carol Ann Kelly, Anna Katherine Kimbrough, Emily Knowling, Anna Lee Lawson, Brinn Loftin, Emily Mantooth

Seated (left to right): Cecilia Masucci, Katherine McCown, Caroline McCrary, Allie Murphree, Kalli Scherlis, Cara Sharpe, Madison Sheible
Standing (left to right): Alice Stallworth, Darby Steinberger, Harper Stephens, Emily Sutphin, Brooke Taylor, Allison Vann

Seated (left to right): Spencer Anglin, Lindsay Birchfield, Merrill Boles, Emily Brown, Lillie Brown, McCarley Buchanan, Eleanor Burke
Standing (left to right: Beth Byers, Sanders Clayton, Callie Cole, Emily Cragon, Elizabeth, Earles, Caroline Easterling

The Von Braun Center North Hall was transformed into an elegant formal setting of chic sophistication. As guests entered the carpeted North Hall foyer, a luminous glow set the tone. They were met with exquisite topiaries of white and blush roses and white hydrangeas. The arrangements were set in tall, ornate footed nickel silver compotes on tables dressed with champagne linens. The North Hall was draped in sheer white fabric panels. A cornice of red velvet and gold braid was suspended over the stage, draped with white curtains, and skirted in boxwood, white roses and hydrangeas. The Debutantes were presented as they emerged, carrying nosegays of the white debutante rose, “Fair Sonnet.” Floral designer for the Symphony Ball was Carl Casiday of Sheffield.

An invocation was delivered by Trey Bentley; 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 heirloom tomato salad, followed by bleu cheese crusted beef tenderloin, duchess potatoes, haricot vert with julienne vegetables, and “Chocolate Trilogy,” a triple-layered chocolate mousse with a chocolate cookie crust for dessert.

Following are the 2014 Symphony Ball debutantes, their parents, presenters and escorts.

Spencer Anne Anglin, daughter of Mrs. Julie Jackson Anglin and Mr. Gary Spencer Anglin, presented by her father and escorted by Samuel Eliah McCutchen.

Lindsay Walker Birchfield, daughter of Mrs. Douglas Edward Brown and Mr. Thomas Harold Birchfield II, presented by her father and escorted by William Hollis Gilbert.

Susan Merrill Boles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Duffy Boles, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by Richard Eugene Markwalter III.

Emily Walker Brown, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Michael David Brown, presented by her father and escorted by Adam Farris Beasley.

Lillian Atwood Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Atwood Brown, presented by her father and escorted by Henry Edward Crosby III.

Michelle McCarley Buchanan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Vandiver Buchanan, presented by her father and escorted by Troy Robert McMichens.

Eleanor Compton Burke, daughter of Mrs.Compton Burke and Mr. John Anthony Burke, presented by her uncle, Mr. Jerome Paul Compton, Jr., and escorted by Midshipman William Joseph Campbell.

Elizabeth Jane Byers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Elbert Byers, presented by her father and escorted by Matthew Harold Brown.

Frances Lane Sanders Clayton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Clayton, presented by her father and escorted by Austin Woodward Howard.

Callie Abigail Cole, daughter of Mrs. Cynthia Smith Cole and Mr. Kenneth Bridges Cole, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by Drake Edward Vaccaro.

Emily Jane Cragon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Dibrell Cragon, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by Joseph Wright Hicks.

Elizabeth Reneau Earles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Patrick Earles, presented by her father and escorted by Lee Stephens Godwin.

Caroline Leigh Easterling, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Keith Easterling, presented by her father and escorted by Bailey Hamilton Lockhart.

Miriam Alexandra Ferguson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Williams Ferguson III, presented by her father and escorted by Conner Gresham Jones.

Bailey Elizabeth Geiger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wade Charles Geiger, presented by her father and escorted by Cole Holland Watt Milberger.

Rachel Thomas Givens, daughter of Mrs. Tammi Mischelle Thomas and Mr. Daniel Morris Givens, presented by her stepfather, Mr. Gary Philip Smith, and escorted by Christopher Andrew Dillon.

Grace Nicole Greco, daughter of The Doctors Cara Grady and John Joseph Greco, presented by her father and escorted by John Sarpkaya.

Lauren Nicole Hammond, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Glen Hammond, presented by her father and escorted by Jared Evan Rivers.

Allie Culver Hergert, daughter of Mrs. Leila Culver Hergert and Mr. Paul Donald Hergert, presented by her father and escorted by Connor Jesse May.

Alexandra Jean Herring, daughter of Mrs. James Wilson Drake and Mr. Jeffrey Gene Herring, presented by her father and escorted by Gunner Joseph Scarano.

Carol Ann Kelly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Todd Kelly, presented by her father and escorted by Nicholas Alexander Light.

Anna Katherine Kimbrough, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hal Reuben Kimbrough, presented by her father and escorted by Kyle Fulton Yokley.

Emily Claire Knowling, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert John Knowling, presented by her father and escorted by Brantley James Scoggins.

Anna Lee Lawson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sims Lawson, presented by her father and escorted by Jonathon Alan Prozan.

Talley Brinn Loftin, daughter of Mrs. Roney Loftin and Mr. Gordon Bartley Loftin III, presented by her father and escorted by Austin Tyler Lurie.

Emily Grace Mantooth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kevin Mantooth, presented by her father and escorted by William Thomas Keene.

Cecilia Alexandra Masucci, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Joseph Masucci, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by James Ruble Thomas, Jr.

Katherine Jeanne McCown, daughter of The Reverend and Mrs. William Russell McCown, presented by her father and escorted by Clayton Michael Tucker.

Emma Caroline McCrary, daughter of Mrs. Myra Ponder McCrary and Mr. Roy Thorson McCrary, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by Tyler Lively Charlton.

Allison Elizabeth Murphree, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Steven Willard Murphree, presented by her father and escorted by Michael Keenan Reiney, Jr.

Kalli Ilyssa Scherlis, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Morris Lee Scherlis, presented by her father and escorted by James Wilson Caudle.

Cara Joyce Sharpe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Bruce Sharpe, presented by her father and escorted by David Gates Gentry.

Madison Laine Sheible, daughter of Mrs. Robert Marvin Broadway, Jr., and Mr. Daniel Gregory Sheible, presented by her stepfather, Mr. Robert Marvin Broadway, Jr., and escorted by Joshua Dale Wilson.

Alice Lawson Stallworth, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David Kern Stallworth, presented by her father and escorted by William Warren Rhett.

Darby Hunter Steinberger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Eric Steinberger, presented by her father and escorted by Peyton Scott Bailey.

Harper Louise Stephens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Holman Harold Stephens, presented by her father and escorted by Jesse Rogers Westerhouse.

Emily Ann Sutphin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neil Walker Sutphin, presented by her father and escorted by John David Wachs.

Brooke McKenzie Taylor, daughter of Mrs. Curran Taylor and Mr. Herbert Montgomery Taylor, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by Nathaniel Walton Fleming.

Allison Anne Vann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Thompson Vann, presented by her father and escorted by Houston Franklin Lee.

Serving as marshals were Henry Donald Beck IV, John Wilson Booth, Kevin Graves Butler, James Daniel Cash, Robert Christopher Chappell, Daniel Guy Kaylor, Peter Loftis Lowe III, Christopher Andre Morard, and Jackson Tyler Tucker.

The 2014 Ball Advisors were Michael Patrick Ahearn, Sr.; Philip Wind Bentley III; Ernest Wayne Bonner; Henry Edward Crosby, Jr.; Anthony Alan Gann; David Vance Lucas; Ricky Lamar Peek; John Randolph Roper; The Honorable Mark Selby Russell; and James Kevin Webber.

Seated (left to right): Trey and Samantha Bentley, Tony and Pam Gann (Ball Chair), Moss and Leslie Crosby
Standing (left to right): Charlie and Wayne Bonner, Michele and David Lucas, Barbie and Ricky Peek, Lori and Kevin Webber, April and Mark Russell

Committee members included Stacey Gardner, advisor and 2013 Ball Chairman; Beth Wise, Guild President; Betsy Lowe, Debutante Presentation; Carole Jones and Amelia Summerville, Arrangements; Ivy Albert, Ball Secretary; Sallie Ennis and Lee Anne Smith, Debutante Tables; Michele Lucas, Samantha Bentley, Lori Webber, and Barbie Peek, Decorations; Nancy Richardson, Finance; Susan Todd and Paige Prozan, Food and Beverage; Carole Hamm, Honorarium; Nancy Colin and Donna Rush, Invitations; Kim Johnson and Wendy Tucker, Marshals and Escorts; April Russell and Cathy Scholl, Photography; Charlie Bonner, Programs; Pennie Keene, Karen Higgins, and Janet Kaylor, Properties and Take Down; Sharon Gartrell and Kim Wright, Publicity; Donna Shergy and Linda Akenhead, Reservations; Susan Fredrickson, Scrapbook; Joanna May and Lori Gregory, Debutante Project; Debbie Overcash and Brenda Milberger, Debutantes and Dads.

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 $2.5 million to support orchestral music for the community.

Nov

2014 Symphony Ball Advisors

A long-standing tradition of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild continues in 2014 as Symphony Ball Chairwoman, Pamela Gann, 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.

Advisors and Ball Chair
seated: Trey Bentley, Randy Roper, Pam Gann (Ball Chair), Moss Crosby, Kevin Webber
standing: Mark Russell, Wayne Bonner, David Lucas, Tony Gann, Ricky Peek

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, Pam and her Ball Committee hosted the men and their wives at an Advisors’ Cocktail Party, held at the mountaintop home of Pam and her husband, Tony, at The Ledges.

Two arrangements of mixed colorful flowers were strategically placed on the dining room table, along with a beautiful arrangement of white roses in the kitchen. A white and blue hydrangea arrangement filled a silver wine cooler that was given to the Symphony Guild in 1993 by past Ball Chairmen, in memory of Robin Lanier Stewart, who served as Ball Chairman in 1988. Cocktail food included an assortment of beef tenderloin, marinated shrimp, fried catfish nuggets, squash fritters, asparagus, and pimento cheese, catered by Narvell. The floral arrangements were provided by In Bloom.

The 2014 Symphony Ball advisors are as follows:

Michael Patrick Ahearn, Sr. is a managing director and founder of Twickenham Wealth Advisors. His wife is Sara Lowe Ahearn. Their children are Michael Patrick Ahearn, Jr. and Peter Alexander Ahearn. His civic interests include the Huntsville Museum of Art. His hobbies are golf and soccer.

Philip Wind Bentley III is the President of Bentley Automotive Group. His wife is Samantha Hereford Bentley. Their children Brett Bentley Maxey (Mrs. Nathaniel Vance Maxey), Philip Wind Bentley IV and Sarah Chase Bentley. He currently serves on the Board of the Downtown Rescue Mission. He serves on the Board of Directors of Progress Bank and is a trustee for the Alabama Automobile Dealers Association. His hobbies include flying and hunting.

Ernest Wayne Bonner is the owner of Bonner Land & Cattle Company. His wife is Charlene (Charlie) Puckett Bonner. They have one child, Julie Caroline Bonner. He serves as Chairman of the Von Braun Center Board of Control, board member of ServisFirst Bank and trustee of First Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Madison County Cattleman’s Association and the Huntsville/Madison County Builders Association. He has served as the past President of the Alabama Home Builders Association, as well as the Huntsville/Madison County Builder’s Association and the Alabama Angus Association. His hobbies include fishing, raising cattle and attending all University of Tennessee sporting events.

Henry Edward Crosby, Jr., is a managing director and founder of Twickenham Wealth Advisors. His wife is Leslie Rhett Crosby. Their children are Henry Edward Crosby III and Harriet Rhett Crosby. He is a founding member of the Hudson Alpha Professional Advisors’ Council, member of the Huntsville Committee of 100, and is a member of the Church of Nativity. He enjoys fishing, golf and outdoor activities.

Anthony Alan Gann is the CEO/President of SouthBridge LLC. His wife is Pamela Noller Gann. Their children are Robert Wilson Moores, Jr., Jon Garrett Moores and Anastasia Rachel Jenette Gann. His civic interests include community support through charitable giving to the Huntsville Young Professionals, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Randolph School. He is a member of The Ledges Golf Association and managing partner of Venti Properties. His professional associations include IEEE, Eta Kappa Nu, Council Member of TDK America and Council Member of Toshiba America. He has been awarded the Toshiba Sales Rep of the year, TDK Sales Rep of the year and the Xilinx Sales Rep of the year. His hobbies are golf, guitar and Alabama football.

David Vance Lucas is the general counsel for eLab Solutions Corporation. His wife is Michele Fisher Lucas. Their children are Willoughby Caroline Lucas, who was presented in 2012; Fisher Vance Lucas; and Emma Michele Lucas. His civic interests include Chairman, Huntsville Botanical Gardens Foundation; Board Member, Randolph School; and volunteer teacher, First United Methodist Church. His professional associations include Admissions to the U. S. Supreme Court, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; U. S. Court of Appeals for the 11^th Circuit; Alabama State Bar; Texas State Bar; American Bar Association; Federal Bar Association; and Federal Circuit Bar Association. His honors include Chair, Intellectual Property, Alabama State Bar; Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society; and J. A. Campbell Moot Court Board. His hobbies are hunting, fishing, skiing, and technology.

Ricky Lamar Peek is the Vice President of Bits, Inc. His wife is Barbie Patterson Peek. Their son is Griffin Patterson Peek. He is a member of the Quarterback Club and coaches both youth football and baseball. His hobbies are hunting and fishing.

John Randolph Roper is the owner of Randy Roper Interiors. His civic interests and activities include President of the Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association; past member of the Board of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra; Foundation Board of the Huntsville Museum of Art; and member of Downtown Huntsville, Inc. His honors include Path of Honor, Senior Center; Honoree 1^st American Diabetes Association Roast; and Nell Oliver Award, Huntsville Museum of Art.

The Honorable Mark Selby Russell is the President of the Huntsville City Council. His wife is April Warren Russell. Their children are Mary Allen Russell and Bailey Katherine Russell. He is a member of Leadership Alabama Class 17, Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Class 9, Past Chairman Boys and Girls Club, Past Chairman Randolph School Board of Trustees, member of Huntsville Sports Commission, Huntsville Rotarian, and numerous other memberships and associations. He was recently awarded the Boys and Girls Club of America’s National Medallion for unusually devoted service. His hobbies include football officiating.

James Kevin Webber is a partner with Trillanero, LLC. His wife is Lori Britt Webber. Their children are Forrest Brannon Webber, Britt Elizabeth Webber and Noelle Grace Webber. He is a member of the Committee of 100, the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, and is a Randolph School trustee. He serves on the BBVA Compass Bank board and is an inactive member of the Alabama Society of CPA’s. His hobbies include golf, hunting, skiing and spending time with his family.

Jerry W. Nutt is the announcer and master of ceremonies for the 2014 Symphony Ball. He is the Account Manager with World Wide Technologies. 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 the Greater Huntsville Humane Society Board.

The Symphony Ball will be held November 1 in the Von Braun Center North Hall. It will be the 51st Ball held to benefit to our community by supporting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

Sep

The HSOG’s Gift of Music to Children

Learn more about our amazing guild:

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild is an organization composed of over 300 women whose purpose is the support of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. The Guild has raised more than $6.6 million dollars since its beginning and contributed more than 726,000 volunteer hours in service of the orchestra. The Guild’s Education Program is beneficial to the HSO for grants and in corporate fund raising.

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Sep

Visit the Pied Piper!

Follow the Pied Piper... Visit the Pied Piper at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens during the Scarecrow Trail – Saturday August 30, 2014 – Friday October 31, 2014. HSOG members Anne Burke and Valerie Brown imagined and crafted these wonderful scarecrows to promote Huntsville Symphony Orchestra‘s Young People’s Concert.

Pied Piper

Aug

Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Awards

Congratulations are in order for HSOG members Clare Grisham and Louise Heidish!! They won prestigious awards at the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon on August 22, 2014.

Louise Heidish & Clare Grisham with their Girl Scout Awards

Clare received a Woman of Distinction Award and Louise received the Christine Richard Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors the memory of a beloved community leader, and long-time HSOG member, whose contributions had far-reaching impact in the North Alabama area.

All proceeds from the luncheon directly supports the Girl Scouts’ mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

Guild members Naomi Dubois, Louise Heidish, and Mary Lee Prout at the Girl Scout Awards.

Ruth Jurenko and Anne Lewis enjoyed visiting at the recent luncheon

Several Guild members turned out to support our nominees. Back Row: Margaret Vann, Middie Thompson, President Beth Wise. Front Row: Joyce Griffin, Award Winner Louise Heidish, Suzanne O’Connor.