The Young Artists Auditions (YAA), a co-sponsored event of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra (HSO) and the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild (HSOG) was held Sunday, January 23,2022  in Roberts Recital Hall on the UAH Campus.  This exciting event featured five very talented and dedicated young artists, a committee of ready and excited HSOG volunteers and the event was able to be held live and in-person…three big pluses for the day!

Artists who competed in the event were:

• Elizabeth Ames, cello, from Tallassee, AL
• James Clark, cello, Madison, AL
• Nathaniel Han, cello, Huntsville, AL
• Elias Loo, bassoon, Huntsville, AL
• Christina Showalter, cello, Madison, AL

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All of the artists who competed received a complimentary YAA t-shirt and a certificate.

Event winners were:

James Clark—1^st place and received a check for $400—The winner will perform as a soloist on stage at the opening of the FREE Family concert

Elias Loo—2nd place and received a check for $300

Elizabeth Ames—3^rd place and received a check for $200

From L to R: Elias Loo, James Clark, and Elizabeth Ames

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Special thanks goes out to Sharon Hicks, HSO Education Director, for her leadership and guidance in planning and making the YAA a special event and day for the artists.  Thank you so much to Janet  Neeley, HSOG Education Chair, for her constant support and willingness to help as the YAA returned to a live event following the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions of last year.  A very special thank you to the YAA Committee members who stepped up to assist in any role needed to make the auditions a memorable occasion for the artists. Committee Members were: Bess Csar, Betsy Cunha, Susie Fortner, Jacque Hudson, Barbara Loflin, Michele Slaton and co-chairs Linda Thomas and Pat Cross.  And a final thank you to Naomi Dubois, HSOG President, and Dan Halcombe, HSO President and CEO, as the always constant behind the scenes support needed as the YAA event planning occurred.

One of the highlights of every holiday season is the Guild’s annual Silver Tea, held this year at the home of Ashley and Bill Mitchel at the Ledges, Thursday, December 2, 2021. The Guild has held the Silver Tea now 55 years as a benefit for the Huntsville Youth Orchestra. Funding from the Tea helps keep musical training alive for young musicians. 

Greeting the guests with Ashley were Rosemary Latham, Silver Tea chair; Joe Lee, Director of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra; Jennifer Case, HYO Board President; Deborah Brown, Huntsville Youth Orchestra Executive Director, and Naomi DuBois, President of the Guild. 

The home located # 6 Ledge View Drive SE, constructed in the English Tudor style, was built in 2017. Designed by Matheny Goldman Architects +Design features heavy beams and Gothic styled woodwork. Janna Collins assisted Ashley in the interior design. A balance of warm dark wood and light airy spaces create a welcoming atmosphere. All of the wood throughout the home is reclaimed oak. 

The dining room was filled with delicious tea treats prepared by Ina Rosa of Chef on Call. A special feature of the dining room is the elevated hearth flanked by a burl wood teacart. The assortment of mini desserts were popular and complimented by the faux champagne served by Past Guild presidents. The focus of the decorations in the dining room were red and terra cotta roses, magnolia, berries, and winged elm along with hand-dyed velvet ribbon as well as other seasonal decorations as additional focus of the holiday decorations throughout the home.

Special thanks to the Tea committee: Silver Bowl, Joyce Griffin; Past Presidents/Punch Bowl, Shelia Irby; Invitations, Nancy Van Valkenburg, chair with Nancy Richardson and Sarah Lauren Kattos; Reservations and Finance, Courtney Allen; Room Hostess, Karen Higgins; Correspondence, Mary Withington; Cloak Room, Bobsy Ingram; Database, Page Hanks; Transportation/Security, Tabby Ragland and Michele Hunter; HYO liaison, Ashley Wells; Photographer, Louise Graffeo; Volunteers, Ann Rivard; Advisor, Stacey Gardner; Publicity, Margaret J. Vann; and Caterer Liaison, Amelia Summerville.

The Silver Bowl was attended by past Guild Presidents while the talented HYO youth musicians entertained the guests with live chamber music. Students of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra were excited to share their music at the Silver Tea. Students, in small ensembles, played a selection of holiday favorites and classical music. The guests could enjoy visiting in the front sitting room as well as visiting the areas downstairs and the children’s rooms and guest suite upstairs. the view from the outdoor areas offered beautiful views of the golf course.