Our News & Events

Aug

2023 Debutante Service Project

The Huntsville Symphony Ball Committee hosted the 2023 Symphony Ball Debutantes in a Service and Learning Day on Friday, May 19, in the Huntsville Museum of Art Maxwell Hall.

Debutantes had their photographs made as they entered Maxwell Hall, where they were greeted by Michele Lucas, 2023 Ball Chair; Samantha Thompson, Service Project Committee Chair; and Tricia Murray, 2024 Ball Chair.

Dan Holcomb, CEO of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, gave a brief history of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. Following Dan’s remarks, the Debutantes began the first service project of the day, preparing coloring packages for pediatric patients at Huntsville Hospital. Joanna May-Rouse, whose late husband created the artwork for the service project coloring books, spoke about the history of the coloring books and the packaging designed especially for the hospital. The debutantes prepared 500 packages of coloring books and crayons, which the Guild Ball committee delivered to Huntsville Hospital. Fran Fluhler, founder of Manna House, generously donated the crayons for the project.As lunch was served, Fran gave an inspirational message entitled “Love Your Neighbor.” Accompanied by two music teachers, Sharon Hicks, Director of Education for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, instructed the Debutantes in cleaning and prepping 150 violins for the 3rd Grade Symphony Educational Program commencing in the fall. The Debutantes enjoyed their day of service to the community and fellowship with each other.

Front Left to Right: Miss Nancy Katherine Owens, Miss Catherine Love Plott, Miss Anna Holland Blackwell, Miss Abbie Elizabeth Rankin, Miss Samantha Fay Counts, Miss Margaret Chrystalla Kattos, 2nd Row Left to Right: Miss Sophia Kathleen Wilson, Miss Anastasia Rachel Jenette Gann, Miss Dollie Meredith Patricia Murray, Miss Scout Margaret Esmeralda Ann Bender, Miss Wyndham Karen Herring, Miss Rani Leela Ginn 3rd Row Left to Right: Miss Anna Catherine Goodson, Miss Kendal Brooke Killian, Miss Emery Elizabeth Rexroad, Miss Madeline Kate Slinkard, Miss Jane Holloway Simpson 4th Row Left to Right: Miss Isabella Ariel Duesing, Miss Julia Ann Fowler, Miss Virginia Ann Jarres, Miss Gabriela Elizabeth Comulada 5th Row Left to Right: Miss Clara Grace McManus, Miss Mary Elizabeth Anderson, Miss Anna Katherine Ayres, Miss Maggie Grace May, Miss Suzan Tabory Ellett, Miss Madison Renee Bibb

Aug

2023 Debutante Tea

The 2023 Symphony Ball debutantes embarked upon their Debutante Season which commenced with an Elevenses Tea held in their honor on May 17 at the historic Adams Street home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Edward Crosby, Jr. The Tea was hosted by the Past Ball Chairmen and the 2023 Symphony Ball Committee. The 35 young women, who will make their social debut on October 28, attended the event along with their mothers.

Guests were greeted by Symphony Guild President Rosemary Latham; 2023 Ball Chairman, Michele Lucas; and hostess Leslie Crosby. Tabby Ragland, 2022 Ball Chairman, served as this year’s Tea Chairman. The young women enjoyed meeting the Ball Committee, Past Guild Presidents and sharing stories about their freshman year of college. The Huntsville Symphony Guild sponsors the debutante program each year as a benefit for Huntsville’s professional symphony orchestra.

Front Row featured left to right: Miss Mary Elizabeth Anderson, Miss Anna Katherine Ayres, Miss Scout Margaret Esmeralda Ann Bender, Miss Madison Renee Bibb
Back Row featured left to right: Miss Anna Holland Blackwell, Miss Gabriela Elizabeth Comulada, Miss Samantha Fay Counts, Miss Isabella Ariel Duesing, Miss Suzan Tabory Ellett

Front Row featured left to right: Miss Anastasia Rachel Jenette Gann, Miss Rani Leela Ginn, Miss Anna Catherine Goodson, Miss Wyndham Karen Herring
Back Row featured left to right: Miss Virginia Ann Jarres, Miss Margaret Chrystalla Kattos, Miss Kendal Brooke Killian, Miss Betty Jean League, Miss Maggie Grace May

Front Row featured left to right: Miss Dollie Meredith Patricia Murray, Miss Clara Grace McManus, Miss Nancy Katherine Owens, Miss Kristen Merrill Parker, Miss Catherine Love Plott
Back Row featured left to right: Miss Abbie Elizabeth Rankin, Miss Emery Elizabeth Rexroad, Miss Madeline Kate Slinkard, Miss Chloe June Stepien, Miss Sophia Kathleen Wilson

May

Guild celebrates Fine Arts Signing Days

During May, the Fine Arts Signing Day committee celebrated students at four area high schools who will be pursuing their interests in the fine arts at the collegiate level. This year’s four schools were Huntsville High School, Lee High School, Randolph School, and Westminster Christian Academy. Activities ranged from receptions to programs with speakers and special guests. The committee was led by chair Brenda Milberger and co-chair Theresa Taylor.

Lee High School – May 1st

Randolph School – May 2nd

Huntsville High School – May 12th

Westminster Christian Academy – May 15th

May

Panoply 2023

On April 29th and 30th, Guild volunteers staffed the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Discover Music Tent. Hundreds of children and families stopped by the tent to try the different instruments. We always love to provide hands-on musical instrument experiences for the community.

Apr

50th Anniversary Crescen-Dough Auction

The 50th annual Crescen-Dough Auction was held on Friday, April 14th, 2023 in the recently renovated VBC North Hall. Over 400 attendees feasted on a buffet dinner which included menus from previous auctions while listening to live jazz music. Following dinner and the silent auction of 350+ items, attendees were entertained and encouraged to bid on various live auction items ranging from trips to jewelry and the annual Painted Violins. Proceeds from the auction benefit the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and area music education.

Apr

2023 Young People’s Concerts and Free Family Concert

On Thursday, February 23rd and Friday, February 24th the Guild hosted the annual Young People’s Concerts in the VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall. Fourth graders from area schools experienced a concert featuring our Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. Valley Conservatory provided pre-concert music. Dozens of Guild volunteers coordinated this fun and educational event.

On Saturday, February 25th, 2023 Young Artists’ Audition winner Claire Zhang performed the second movement of the Haydn Piano Concerto in D major during the Free Family Concert. Claire is an 8th grade student at Discovery School and a student of Susan Hoop. Prior to the concert, attendees enjoyed various interactive stations including the famous Instrument Petting Zoo and face painting.

Jan

2023 Young Artists’ Auditions

On January 8th, the Guild and HSO hosted the annual Young Artists’ Auditions at UAH Roberts Recital Hall. The YAA committee was chaired by Ashley Wells and co-chair Ginger Loder. The winners were:

1st Place – Claire Zhang, piano, student of Susan Hoop

2nd Place – Jeffrey Duan, piano, student of Susan Hoop

3rd Place – Constantine Haff, violin, student of Jeff Dortch

Dec

Silver Tea 2022

The annual Silver Tea was held December 1st at a recently renovated home in downtown Huntsville. Hundreds of guests toured the beautifully decorated home and sampled treats from Ina Rosa Chef on Call. Selected musicians from the Huntsville Youth Orchestra provided music for the event. Proceeds from the Silver Tea benefit the Huntsville Youth Orchestra and additional music education partners of the Guild. Thank you to home hostess Samantha Bentley, Silver Tea chair Patti Thornton and the Silver Tea Committee for making this holiday tradition especially beautiful!

Nov

Guild presents 2022 Crescen-Dough Auction Proceeds

On Friday, November 4, the HSO Guild presented proceeds from the 2022 Crescen-Dough Auction to the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Association and Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Foundation. 2022 Auction chair Susi Mann presented a check to George Smith, HSOA Board Chair. Immediate past president Naomi DuBois presented a check to Foundation members Cathy Scholl and Louise Carter, who are also Guild members.

Nov

Symphony Ball 2022

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.