Each year the Symphony Ball debutantes participate in a community service project as part of the beginning of the debutante season.  Proceeds from the Symphony Ball benefit the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.  To highlight music and community service, this year the event joined efforts with two local organizations for their service projects:  Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Huntsville Hospital Foundation.  The Service Project, which was held Friday, the 20th of May, 2016, started with the debutantes gathering at the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra office.

Julie Noles, immediate-past Education Director of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra (HSO), led the debutantes in their first service project of the day, as they cleaned the violins for the Huntsville Symphony School’s third grade violin program.  Ms. Noles provided a history lesson to the group on the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony School and provided an impromptu violin lesson. While the debutantes were busy cleaning violins, they were entertained by the music of two young members of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra. Sharon Hicks, HSO Education Director coordinated the event for the Symphony Office.

The young ladies then boarded the 1920s vintage-inspired downtown Huntsville trolley for a ride to the campus of UAB Health Clinic.  They were first served lunch, catered by former debutante Lindsey Jennings, owner of Dallas Mill Deli.

The Debutantes then assembled packets for their “Coloring Book Project.”  The special coloring books depict exciting places from the City of Huntsville and highlight the orchestra and music.  The coloring books were illustrated by the late Bill May, father of former Debutante Hughston May.  Hughston updated the coloring book this year.  The books will be given to Huntsville Hospital patients visiting the Pediatric Emergency Room and those in both the Pediatric Unit and the Pediatric ICU.

Huntsville Hospital Foundation also prepared a Career Planning Workshop Seminar, where the young ladies learned about the many different career paths within the Hospital.  Speakers were young professionals from various departments including Business, Nursing, Radiology, and more.  Many of the speakers were former Debutantes.  Candy Burnett, President of Huntsville Hospital Foundation, kicked off the workshop with a career “baker’s dozen tips for success” presentation.  Dr Libby Shadinger participated in the roundtable discussion.

Huntsville Hospital Foundation employee Jordan McMullan, who coordinated the hospital visit, is also a former debutante.  Debutante Service Project coordinators from the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild were Lori Gregory, Bobsy Ingram, Elaine Pollard, and Joanna May.  The young ladies will formally be introduced to the community during the 53rd Symphony Ball on October 29.

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

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An exciting season is underway for the Debutantes of 2016.

On Thursday evening, May 19^th at Huntsville Country Club, debutantes and their presenters attended a training seminar designed to enhance the beauty and pageantry of the formal presentation of the 2016 Symphony Ball, set for October 29, 2016.

Symphony Ball Chairman, Linda Akenhead, welcomed the debs and presenters.  Announcement photographs of the debutantes were taken by Ball photographer, Mark Jaeger.

Debutante/Presenter Event Chairmen Pam Gann and Josie Craig organized the evening’s events.

Long-time advisor to the Symphony Ball, Randy Roper, and Debutante Liaison, Sarah Gessler, provided instruction to the debutantes and their presenters on formal presentation and the curtsy.

 Dance instruction was provided to the debs and presenters for a choreographed waltz to be performed the night of the Symphony Ball.  They will dance to the Tales from the Vienna Woods, by Johann Strauss II.

On the evening of the Ball, October 29, immediately after the presentation of the debutantes and waltz with their presenters, former debutantes of the Huntsville Symphony Ball over the past fifty two years will be invited to join the 2016 debutantes in a special dance.

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

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2016 Symphony Ball debutantes and their mothers enjoyed a lovely afternoon Tea, Wednesday, May 18th at the beautiful home of Guild member, Christine Wicks.  The previous year’s Ball Chairman hosts the annual event; and this year, Nancy Colin continued the tradition.  The Debutante Tea marks the official start of the Debutante social season.

Attending the event were the 35 young women who will make their debut at the 53rd Symphony Ball, October 29, together with their mothers, and members of the 2016 Ball Committee, past Guild Presidents, past Ball Chairmen, and the wives of the Ball advisors.

Guests were greeted by Christine and Nancy, along with 2016 Ball Chairman, Linda Akenhead, and Symphony Guild President, Ivy Downs Albert.  A silver wine cooler filled with beautiful spring flowers graced the entryway as guests arrived.  The silver container was given in 1993 by past Ball Chairmen, in memory of Robin Lanier Stewart, 1988 Ball Chairman.  It has been used every year at the Debutante Tea since 1993.

The young women enjoyed catching up after their freshman year of college as they enjoyed the delicious tea menu selected by Nancy. The Tea was catered by Carlton’s Catering and included a variety of delicacies, including snow peas stuffed with Asian chicken salad; bruschetta topped with whipped herbed ricotta, slice of pear, toasted walnut and a drizzle of local honey; baked Brie with fresh fruit; iced lemon shortbread cookies, and other sweets.  The centerpiece, as well as the flowers in the foyer, were towering arrangements by In Bloom, with beautiful spring flowers of white, pink and red roses; blue hydrangeas; pink peonies; snapdragons; and gerbera daisies, with lilies and orchids.   Punch and sparkling grape juice were served by past Ball Chairmen Pam Gann, Marie Newberry, Amelia Summerville, Sheryl Livingston, Suzanne O’Connor, Carol Booher, and Carole Jones.

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 benefitting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

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Seated L to R Maria Caprio, Millie Steed, Olivia Costanza, Elise Greco, Ann Christian Brown
Standing L to R Patton Park, Elizabeth Jones, Peyton Mickle, Caroline Curran, Bailey Gardner, Kate Griffin

Seated L to R Tindall Morring, Emily Evans, Megan Smith, Julianna Kendall, Abby Knowling
Standing L to R Lauren Neighbors, Hattie Crosby, Maddie Kofskey, Hannah Martz, Kate Noble Hall, Caroline Wilson

Seated L to R Susanne McCrary, Bailey Bentley, Mandy Kate Malone, Mary Mac Hardin
Standing L to R
Hannah Splawn, Mary Charles Stewart, Michelle Caudle, Lily Hendrix, Katy Shoemake, Sarah Abbott Martinson

Huntsville Country Club provided a scenic setting for photographs of the 35 young women who will make their debut at the 2016 Symphony Ball on October 29^th.  The young women enjoyed their first week of the season with three activities: the Debutante Tea at the home of Mrs. Michael William Wicks, a special Debutantes and Presenters event at Huntsville Country Club, 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 Huntsville’s own professional Symphony Orchestra.  It entails many hours of work by the event sponsor, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild.  Linda Casselman Akenhead is chairwoman of the 2016 Ball, and this year will be the 53^rd Ball.

The 2016 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 October 29^th in the Von Braun Center North Hall.

Following is a list of the 2016 debutantes, their parents, their high schools, and colleges:

Sarah Margaret Averbuch, 19, daughter of  Mr. and Mrs. Scott Owen Averbuch, Randolph School, Wake Forest University;

Bailey Alexandra Bentley, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Thomson Bentley, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Ann Christian Brown 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Damian Brown, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Maria Catherine Caprio, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mark Caprio, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Susan Michelle Caudle, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Dale Caudle, junior, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Olivia Brenda Costanza, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Russell Costanza, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Harriet Rhett Crosby, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Edward Crosby, Randolph School, Birmingham Southern College;

Caroline Pollard Curran, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Francis Curran, Randolph School, Southern Methodist University;

Emily Adair Evans, 19, daughter of Mrs. Robert Hess Campbell, junior, and Mr. John Sadler Evans, Randolph School, University of Alabama;

Bailey Elizabeth Gardner, 19, daughter of The Doctors Stacey Strickland and James Steven Gardner, Randolph School, Harding University;

Elise Marie Greco, 18, daughter of The Doctors Cara Grady and John Joseph Greco, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Kathryn Diane Griffin, 18, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Joseph Griffin, junior, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Kate Noble Wheeler Hall, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Darius Hall, Randolph School, University of Alabama;

Mary McClure Hardin, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Gray Hardin, Huntsville High School, University of Mississippi;

Lily Madeleine Hendrix, 19, daughter Ms. Ashley Reese Wells and Mr. Jerry Alan Hendrix, Excalibur Christian School, University of Montevallo;

Elizabeth Anne Jones, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Jefferson Jones, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Julianna Ellen Kendall, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Kendall, Westminster Christian Academy, Samford University;

Abby Elaine Knowling, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert John Knowling,  Randolph School, Auburn University;

Madeline Beatty Kofskey, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Michael Kofskey, Randolph School, Southern Methodist University;

Amanda Katherine Malone, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Malone III, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Sarah Abbott Martinson, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abbott McWhorter Martinson, Randolph School, Mississippi State University;

Hannah Caroline Martz, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Garrett Martz, Grissom High School, Auburn University;

Susanne Hames McCrary, 19, daughter of Ms. Myra Ponder McCrary and Mr. Roy Thorson McCrary, junior, Randolph School, Samford University;

Peyton Ann Mickle, 19, daughter of Ms. Kayla Bradford Mickle and Mr. Patrick Dodd Mickle, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Karen Tindall Morring, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymon Huston Morring, junior, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Sarah Elizabeth Moshier, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Warren Moshier, Randolph School, University of Alabama;

Lauren Alexandra Neighbors, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James William Neighbors, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Patton Lee Park, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce McEachin Park, Randolph School, Samford University;

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Shoemake, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jason Kyle Shoemake, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Megan Ann Smith, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bart Karter Smith, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Carolanne Sterling Spearman, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bryson Spearman, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Hannah Leigh Splawn, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Helton Splawn, Grissom High School, University of Alabama;

Millicent Leigh Steed, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Chad Steed, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Mary Charles Stewart, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Palmer Stewart, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Caroline Emily Wilson, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Peter Strautins Wilson, Randolph School, Vanderbilt University.