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

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.

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.

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.

The Community Ballet Association held its 55th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at The Ledges. The event honored nominees for the Virginia Hammill Simms Award and the Katherine & Richard Lester Award.  The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild nominated Nancy Colin who was this year’s recipient of the Virginia Hammill Simms Award. Congratulations to Nancy, a dedicated and deserving volunteer!

This year’s HSOG Scarecrow will be installed at the Huntsville Botanical Garden’s Scarecrow Trail from September 3 – October, 31, 2022. Based on the HSO’s Spring 2023 Free Family Concert: The Composer is Dead – A Whodunnit Mystery for Orchestra, our scarecrow composer is decorated with clues for visitors to attempt to solve the crime. We hope you will join our composer at the Garden to try to solve the mystery, too!