Our News & Events

Young Artists Auditions

The Young Artists Auditions were held Sunday, January 7 in Roberts Hall of the UAH campus. The audience members had the pleasure of hearing four very talented young musicians perform and compete. Afterwards a lovely backstage reception organized by YAA cochair Bess Csar was held where contestants, audience members, families and teachers, Guild and Symphony representatives mingled and enjoyed homemade treats.

Above Photo left to right: Rosemary Latham (HSOG president), Joanna May-Rouse (HSOG chair of education, Betsy Cunha (YAA chair), third place winner Daniel Lewis (flute), contestant
Minseo Kim (flute), second place winner Jeffrey Duan (piano), first place winner Davis Brewster (trombone).

We thank the YAA committee members and HSOG officers who helped bring this event to fruition.

Photo left to right: Barbara Loflin, Ginger Loder, YAA co-chair Bess Csar, Martha Brouse, Joanna May-Rouse (chair of education), Louise Graffeo, Rosemary Latham (HSOG president, Ashley Wells, Betsy Cunha (YAA chair), Michelle Slaton, Rachel Dubois, Devonee Woods. (not pictured, Janye Cleary)

A Golden 60th

A Golden 60th

On the evening of October 28, 2023, the Saturn Ballroom of the VBC was all aglow, as thirty-five “radiant beams in the night,” made their debut before family and friends. In their “Golden Hour,” the Debutantes of 2023 shone like “angels of light.” The 60th Symphony Ball, which marked the culmination of an extraordinary Debutante season, was an illuminating celebration of beauty, grace, and youthful joy.

For arriving guests, the evening’s celebratory mood was quickened through the shimmery tones of Huntsville Symphony Orchestra harpist, Anna Dunlap, and the verve of an exquisite floral folly. An In Bloom (Mark Kimbrough and Ron Cooper) designed golden crowned peacock, gloriously preening as its feathers, laden in sunset-colored peonies and roses cascading down from its golden caged perch, pointed the way to have a ball. Once inside, guests were offered the Ball’s signature drink: a pink sugar rimmed, pomegranate martini, while enjoying classical selections performed by Members of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. On each side of the dance floor, whose center featured a raspberry medallion commemorating the 60th Symphony Ball, were guest tables luxuriously draped in damasked green velvet and satin fabric. Rising tall from their center, a golden branched container lush in splendid florals, filling the air with fragrant perfume. Overhead, the twinkle of crystal chandeliers led the eye to the two-tier Presentation stage where the orchestra was centered. On each side, large, backlit, golden Chinoiserie-styled boxes, where Trumpeters would take their place to announce the Formal Presentation of the 2023 Debutantes.

Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Kenneth Rivenbark began the evening’s festivities with the introduction of 2023 Ball Chairman, Michele Lucas. Mrs. Lucas thanked her excellent committee, including Guild President Rosemary Latham, members of the Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and the 2023 Symphony Ball Advisors including Mr. Philip Wind Bentley III, who provided the invocation.

From the helm of the golden boxes, the sound of the Trumpeters signaled the Presentation’s beginning, and the 2023 Ball’s Marshals and Escorts were introduced. Then, entering from opposite sides, the Debutante and Presenter met in the stage’s middle, before the orchestra, as Dr. Rivenbark introduced each lovely young lady to society. The Presentation Waltz, performed to Johann Strauss II’s “Artist’s Life,” followed with Debutantes and Presenters receiving joyous applause at its conclusion. As the Debutante and Escort prepared for their own dance, Dr. Rivenbark announced a very special surprise in the way of Mr. John Preston Watts, junior, who would serenade the 2023 Debutantes with Jvke’s hit, “Golden Hour,” arranged especially for the Ball by Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, General Manger, Curtis Lindsay. The dance floor awash in golden tones, the Debutantes with a “glorious look in their eyes,” indeed caused “time to slow down.” At the Presentation’s conclusion, the Trumpeters announced Dinner which featured Filet of Beef and Chicken Piccata, with Haricot Verts, Julienned Bell Pepper and Sweet Potato Layers with Gouda, as its Entrée. Afterwards, the Debutantes, family and friends danced into the wee hours of the night to the music of the Craig Duncan Orchestra.

The funds raised from the 60th Huntsville Symphony Ball will support the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, whose mission is to serve the region with professional quality classical music performances, education, and outreach.

A lyre was chosen as the official symbol of the Ball, and each Debutante was presented with a gold lyre charm. Sixty years later, the tradition continues of presenting each debutante with a gold lyre charm to commemorate the Ball.

The Debutantes of 2023 brought tremendous joy to all those who attended the 60th Symphony Ball. It was their night to shine!

Top Left to Right: Mallory Paige Holland, Anna Catherine Goodson, Maggie Grace May, Kendal Brooke Killian, Margaret Chrystalla Kattos. Bottom Left to Right: Betty Jean League, Wyndham Karen Herring, Clara Grace McManus, Virginia Ann Jarres.
Top Left to Right: Gabriela Elizabeth Comulada, Rani Leela Ginn, Madison Renee Bibb, Mary Elizabeth Anderson, Anna Katherine Ayers, Katherine Ellen Flowers, Anna Holland Blackwell. Bottom Left to Right: Susan Tabory Ellett, Julia Ann Fowler, Anastasia Rachel Jenette Gann, Isabella Ariel Duesing, Sadie Elizabeth Anglin, Scout Margaret Esmeralda Ann Bender, Samantha Fay Counts.

Top Row Left to Right: Emery Elizabeth Rexroad, Nancy Katherine Owens, Sophia Kathleen Wilson, Caroline Robertson Smith, Catherine Love Plott, Elizabeth Park Scholl. Bottom Row Left to Right: Madeline Kate Slinkard, Kristen Merrill Parker, Dollie Meredith Patricia Murray, Jane Hollaway Simpson, Chloe June Stepien, Abbie Elizabeth Rankin

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.