Dec

51st Symphony Ball

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild had the honor of presenting 39 young women on Saturday, November 1, in the Von Braun Center North Hall at the 51^st Symphony Ball. Over 875 patrons, guests, friends and family attended the formal presentation and enjoyed a beautifully traditional evening of “Isn’t It Romantic,” focusing on a glamorous, Hollywood style theme. This year’s Ball was chaired by Pamela Noller Gann.

Seated (left to right): Alexandra Ferguson, Bailey Geiger, Rachel Givens, Grace Greco, Lauren Hammond, Allie Hergert, Alexandra Herring
Standing (left to right): Carol Ann Kelly, Anna Katherine Kimbrough, Emily Knowling, Anna Lee Lawson, Brinn Loftin, Emily Mantooth

Seated (left to right): Cecilia Masucci, Katherine McCown, Caroline McCrary, Allie Murphree, Kalli Scherlis, Cara Sharpe, Madison Sheible
Standing (left to right): Alice Stallworth, Darby Steinberger, Harper Stephens, Emily Sutphin, Brooke Taylor, Allison Vann

Seated (left to right): Spencer Anglin, Lindsay Birchfield, Merrill Boles, Emily Brown, Lillie Brown, McCarley Buchanan, Eleanor Burke
Standing (left to right: Beth Byers, Sanders Clayton, Callie Cole, Emily Cragon, Elizabeth, Earles, Caroline Easterling

The Von Braun Center North Hall was transformed into an elegant formal setting of chic sophistication. As guests entered the carpeted North Hall foyer, a luminous glow set the tone. They were met with exquisite topiaries of white and blush roses and white hydrangeas. The arrangements were set in tall, ornate footed nickel silver compotes on tables dressed with champagne linens. The North Hall was draped in sheer white fabric panels. A cornice of red velvet and gold braid was suspended over the stage, draped with white curtains, and skirted in boxwood, white roses and hydrangeas. The Debutantes were presented as they emerged, carrying nosegays of the white debutante rose, “Fair Sonnet.” Floral designer for the Symphony Ball was Carl Casiday of Sheffield.

An invocation was delivered by Trey Bentley; and Jerry Nutt, Emeritus Member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Association Board of Trustees, served as Announcer for the Ball. The Symphony Orchestra strings and trumpets provided the perfect music during the cocktail hour, followed by the debutante presentation and a waltz with the debutantes and their fathers. The Craig Duncan Orchestra never sounded better as everyone danced the night away.

Guests enjoyed a formal dinner of heirloom tomato salad, followed by bleu cheese crusted beef tenderloin, duchess potatoes, haricot vert with julienne vegetables, and “Chocolate Trilogy,” a triple-layered chocolate mousse with a chocolate cookie crust for dessert.

Following are the 2014 Symphony Ball debutantes, their parents, presenters and escorts.

Spencer Anne Anglin, daughter of Mrs. Julie Jackson Anglin and Mr. Gary Spencer Anglin, presented by her father and escorted by Samuel Eliah McCutchen.

Lindsay Walker Birchfield, daughter of Mrs. Douglas Edward Brown and Mr. Thomas Harold Birchfield II, presented by her father and escorted by William Hollis Gilbert.

Susan Merrill Boles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Duffy Boles, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by Richard Eugene Markwalter III.

Emily Walker Brown, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Michael David Brown, presented by her father and escorted by Adam Farris Beasley.

Lillian Atwood Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Atwood Brown, presented by her father and escorted by Henry Edward Crosby III.

Michelle McCarley Buchanan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Vandiver Buchanan, presented by her father and escorted by Troy Robert McMichens.

Eleanor Compton Burke, daughter of Mrs.Compton Burke and Mr. John Anthony Burke, presented by her uncle, Mr. Jerome Paul Compton, Jr., and escorted by Midshipman William Joseph Campbell.

Elizabeth Jane Byers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Elbert Byers, presented by her father and escorted by Matthew Harold Brown.

Frances Lane Sanders Clayton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Clayton, presented by her father and escorted by Austin Woodward Howard.

Callie Abigail Cole, daughter of Mrs. Cynthia Smith Cole and Mr. Kenneth Bridges Cole, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by Drake Edward Vaccaro.

Emily Jane Cragon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Dibrell Cragon, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by Joseph Wright Hicks.

Elizabeth Reneau Earles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Patrick Earles, presented by her father and escorted by Lee Stephens Godwin.

Caroline Leigh Easterling, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Keith Easterling, presented by her father and escorted by Bailey Hamilton Lockhart.

Miriam Alexandra Ferguson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Williams Ferguson III, presented by her father and escorted by Conner Gresham Jones.

Bailey Elizabeth Geiger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wade Charles Geiger, presented by her father and escorted by Cole Holland Watt Milberger.

Rachel Thomas Givens, daughter of Mrs. Tammi Mischelle Thomas and Mr. Daniel Morris Givens, presented by her stepfather, Mr. Gary Philip Smith, and escorted by Christopher Andrew Dillon.

Grace Nicole Greco, daughter of The Doctors Cara Grady and John Joseph Greco, presented by her father and escorted by John Sarpkaya.

Lauren Nicole Hammond, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Glen Hammond, presented by her father and escorted by Jared Evan Rivers.

Allie Culver Hergert, daughter of Mrs. Leila Culver Hergert and Mr. Paul Donald Hergert, presented by her father and escorted by Connor Jesse May.

Alexandra Jean Herring, daughter of Mrs. James Wilson Drake and Mr. Jeffrey Gene Herring, presented by her father and escorted by Gunner Joseph Scarano.

Carol Ann Kelly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Todd Kelly, presented by her father and escorted by Nicholas Alexander Light.

Anna Katherine Kimbrough, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hal Reuben Kimbrough, presented by her father and escorted by Kyle Fulton Yokley.

Emily Claire Knowling, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert John Knowling, presented by her father and escorted by Brantley James Scoggins.

Anna Lee Lawson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sims Lawson, presented by her father and escorted by Jonathon Alan Prozan.

Talley Brinn Loftin, daughter of Mrs. Roney Loftin and Mr. Gordon Bartley Loftin III, presented by her father and escorted by Austin Tyler Lurie.

Emily Grace Mantooth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kevin Mantooth, presented by her father and escorted by William Thomas Keene.

Cecilia Alexandra Masucci, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Joseph Masucci, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by James Ruble Thomas, Jr.

Katherine Jeanne McCown, daughter of The Reverend and Mrs. William Russell McCown, presented by her father and escorted by Clayton Michael Tucker.

Emma Caroline McCrary, daughter of Mrs. Myra Ponder McCrary and Mr. Roy Thorson McCrary, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by Tyler Lively Charlton.

Allison Elizabeth Murphree, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Steven Willard Murphree, presented by her father and escorted by Michael Keenan Reiney, Jr.

Kalli Ilyssa Scherlis, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Morris Lee Scherlis, presented by her father and escorted by James Wilson Caudle.

Cara Joyce Sharpe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Bruce Sharpe, presented by her father and escorted by David Gates Gentry.

Madison Laine Sheible, daughter of Mrs. Robert Marvin Broadway, Jr., and Mr. Daniel Gregory Sheible, presented by her stepfather, Mr. Robert Marvin Broadway, Jr., and escorted by Joshua Dale Wilson.

Alice Lawson Stallworth, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David Kern Stallworth, presented by her father and escorted by William Warren Rhett.

Darby Hunter Steinberger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Eric Steinberger, presented by her father and escorted by Peyton Scott Bailey.

Harper Louise Stephens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Holman Harold Stephens, presented by her father and escorted by Jesse Rogers Westerhouse.

Emily Ann Sutphin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neil Walker Sutphin, presented by her father and escorted by John David Wachs.

Brooke McKenzie Taylor, daughter of Mrs. Curran Taylor and Mr. Herbert Montgomery Taylor, Jr., presented by her father and escorted by Nathaniel Walton Fleming.

Allison Anne Vann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Thompson Vann, presented by her father and escorted by Houston Franklin Lee.

Serving as marshals were Henry Donald Beck IV, John Wilson Booth, Kevin Graves Butler, James Daniel Cash, Robert Christopher Chappell, Daniel Guy Kaylor, Peter Loftis Lowe III, Christopher Andre Morard, and Jackson Tyler Tucker.

The 2014 Ball Advisors were Michael Patrick Ahearn, Sr.; Philip Wind Bentley III; Ernest Wayne Bonner; Henry Edward Crosby, Jr.; Anthony Alan Gann; David Vance Lucas; Ricky Lamar Peek; John Randolph Roper; The Honorable Mark Selby Russell; and James Kevin Webber.

Seated (left to right): Trey and Samantha Bentley, Tony and Pam Gann (Ball Chair), Moss and Leslie Crosby
Standing (left to right): Charlie and Wayne Bonner, Michele and David Lucas, Barbie and Ricky Peek, Lori and Kevin Webber, April and Mark Russell

Committee members included Stacey Gardner, advisor and 2013 Ball Chairman; Beth Wise, Guild President; Betsy Lowe, Debutante Presentation; Carole Jones and Amelia Summerville, Arrangements; Ivy Albert, Ball Secretary; Sallie Ennis and Lee Anne Smith, Debutante Tables; Michele Lucas, Samantha Bentley, Lori Webber, and Barbie Peek, Decorations; Nancy Richardson, Finance; Susan Todd and Paige Prozan, Food and Beverage; Carole Hamm, Honorarium; Nancy Colin and Donna Rush, Invitations; Kim Johnson and Wendy Tucker, Marshals and Escorts; April Russell and Cathy Scholl, Photography; Charlie Bonner, Programs; Pennie Keene, Karen Higgins, and Janet Kaylor, Properties and Take Down; Sharon Gartrell and Kim Wright, Publicity; Donna Shergy and Linda Akenhead, Reservations; Susan Fredrickson, Scrapbook; Joanna May and Lori Gregory, Debutante Project; Debbie Overcash and Brenda Milberger, Debutantes and Dads.

The Symphony Guild sponsors the debutante program annually as a fundraiser for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

Young women invited to debut at the Symphony Ball are college sophomores with a history of community involvement.

Since its inception, the event has raised more than $2.5 million to support orchestral music for the community.

Sep

The HSOG’s Gift of Music to Children

Learn more about our amazing guild:

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild is an organization composed of over 300 women whose purpose is the support of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. The Guild has raised more than $6.6 million dollars since its beginning and contributed more than 726,000 volunteer hours in service of the orchestra. The Guild’s Education Program is beneficial to the HSO for grants and in corporate fund raising.

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Jun

An exciting season is underway for the Debutantes of 2014.

On Thursday evening, May 22 at The Ledges, debutantes and their fathers attended a new training seminar designed to enhance the beauty and pageantry of the formal presentation of the 2014 Symphony Ball, set for November 1, 2014.

Symphony Ball Chairman, Pam Gann, welcomed the debs and dads with coffee, tea, and elegant desserts prepared by The Ledges’ culinary team. Announcement photographs of the debutantes taken by Ball photographer, Mark Jaeger, were set against scenic views overlooking Huntsville.

The evening’s events were organized by chairmen Debbie Overcash and Brenda Milberger.

Long-time advisor to the Symphony Ball, Randy Roper, provided instruction to the debutantes and their fathers on formal presentation and the curtsy.

Dance instructors Debra Jenkins of Merrimack Hall and Hayley Henderson of Element Huntsville, along with their talented assistants Peyton Davis, Corey Rives, and Emma Jenkins, provided instruction to the debs and dads for a choreographed waltz to be performed the night of the Symphony Ball. They will dance to the Voices of Spring Waltz, by Johann Strauss II.

On the evening of the Ball, November 1, immediately after the presentation of the debutantes and waltz with their fathers, former debutantes of the Huntsville Symphony Ball over the past fifty years will be invited to join the 2014 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.

Bow & Curtsy

Gary and Spencer Anglin

Corey Rives, Debra Jenkins, Emma Jenkins

Randy Roper (instructing), Emily and Neil Sutphin

Jun

2014 Symphony Ball debutantes start social season at afternoon tea

2014 Symphony Ball debutantes and their mothers enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea Wednesday, May 21 at The Ledges Country Club. The annual event is hosted by the previous year’s Ball Chair. This year Dr. Stacey Gardner hosted the event, continuing the tradition. The May 21 tea marked the official start of the debutante social season.

The 39 young women who will make their social debut on November 1, their mothers, members of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild’s 2014 Ball Committee,past Guild Presidents, and past Ball Chairmen attended the event. The Guild sponsors the debutante program each year as a fundraiser for Huntsville’s professional orchestra. This will be the 51st Symphony Ball.

Guests were greeted by Stacey, by Symphony Guild President Beth Wise, and 2014 Ball Chairman Pam Gann. A silver wine cooler, given to the Symphony Guild in 1993 by past Ball Chairmen, in memory of Robin Lanier Stewart, who served as Ball Chairman in 1988, was filled with red roses and graced the entryway as guests arrived. It has been used every year at the Deb Tea since 1993.

The young women enjoyed catching up after their freshman year of college as they enjoyed the delicious tea menu chosen by Stacey. They sipped on punch served by past Ball Chairmen and past Presidents Ivy Albert, Mackie Bethay, Carole Booher, Carole Jones, Sheryl Livingston, Marie Newberry, Suzanne O’Connor, and Amelia Summerville. A variety of delicacies were served, including chicken salad mini tartlets, dainty cucumber mint sandwiches and other tea sandwiches, along with an assortment of chocolates, strawberries, and other sweets. The centerpiece was a tall arrangement of white and yellow roses.

The young ladies and their mothers looked over scrapbooks of previous debutante years, noting the variety of parties and invitations. They shared plans for the summer season and looked forward to their own service projects and celebrations.

Amelia Summerville, Suzanne O’Connor

Katherine McCown, Darby Steinberger, Celia Masucci

Donna Rush, Susan Fredrickson, Pam Gann, Beth Wise, Dr. Stacey Gardner

Grace Greco, Emily Knowling, Lauren Hammond, Sanders Clayton, Madison Sheible

Jun

2014 Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Debutantes Announced

The Ledges Country Club provided scenic vistas for photographs of the 39 young women who will make their debut at the 2014 Symphony Ball on November 1. The young women enjoyed their first week of the season with three activities: the Debutante Tea at The Ledges, a special Debutantes and Dads event, also at The Ledges, and the Service Project at 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 orchestra. It entails many hours of work by the event sponsor, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild. Pam Gann is chairwoman of the 2014 Ball, and this year will be the 51st Ball.

The 2014 debutantes, having completed their freshman year at college, look forward to an exciting season of social activities with their families and friends, as well as participating in a very special service project. The Symphony Ball season will culminate with their debuts at a gala event on November 1 in the Von Braun Center North Hall.

First Row: Kalli Scherlis, Sanders Clayton, Anna Lee Lawson, Caroline McCrary
Second Row: Beth Byers, Spencer Anglin, Alexandra Ferguson, Madison Sheible
Third Row: Alli Murphree, Lauren Hammond, Lillie Brown, Elizabeth Earles
Not pictured: Emily Cragon, Alice Stallworth

First Row: Allison Vann, Darby Steinberger, Emily Sutphin, Rachel Givens
Second Row: Cecilia Masucci, Caroline Easterling, Anna Katherine Kimbrough, Merrill Boles
Third Row: Harper Stephens, Katherine McCown, Callie Cole, Bailey Geiger

Front Row: McCarley Buchanan, Brooke Taylor, Emily Mantooth, Lindsay Birchfield
Second Row: Eleanor Burke, Carol Ann Kelly, Cara Sharpe, Grace Greco, Emily Brown
Third Row: Brinn Loftin, Emily Knowling, Allie Hergert, Alexandra Herring

Following is a list of the 2014 debutantes, their parents, their high schools, and colleges:

Spencer Anne Anglin, 18, daughter of Mrs. Julie Jackson Anglin and Mr. Gary Spencer Anglin, Huntsville High School, University of Montevallo;

Lindsay Walker Birchfield, 19, daughter of Mrs. Douglas Edward Brown and Mr. Thomas Harold Birchfield II, Huntsville High School, Samford University;

Susan Merrill Boles, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Duffy Boles, Jr., Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Emily Walker Brown, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Michael David Brown, Huntsville High School, University of South Carolina;

Lillian Atwood Brown, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Atwood Brown, Randolph School, Samford University;

Michelle McCarley Buchanan, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Vandiver Buchanan, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Eleanor Compton Burke, 19, daughter of Mrs.Compton Burke and Mr. John Anthony Burke, Randolph School, Wake Forest University;

Elizabeth Jane Byers, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Elbert Byers, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Frances Lane Sanders Clayton, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Clayton, Randolph School, Appalachian State University;

Callie Abigail Cole, 19, daughter of Mrs. Cynthia Smith Cole and Mr. Kenneth Bridges Cole, Jr., Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Emily Jane Cragon, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Dibrell Cragon, Jr., Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Elizabeth Reneau Earles, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Patrick Earles, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Caroline Leigh Easterling, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Keith Easterling, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Miriam Alexandra Ferguson, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Williams Ferguson III, Randolph School, University of Alabama;

Bailey Elizabeth Geiger, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wade Charles Geiger, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Rachel Thomas Givens, 18, daughter of Mrs. Tammi Mischelle Thomas and Mr. Daniel Morris Givens, Grissom High School, Auburn University;

Grace Nicole Greco, 19, daughter of The Doctors Cara Grady and John Joseph Greco, Randolph School, American University;

Lauren Nicole Hammond, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Glen Hammond, Randolph School, Samford University;

Allie Culver Hergert, 19, daughter of Mrs. Leila Culver Hergert and Mr. Paul Donald Hergert, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Alexandra Jean Herring, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson Drake and Mr. Jeffrey Gene Herring, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Carol Ann Kelly, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Todd Kelly, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Anna Katherine Kimbrough, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hal Reuben Kimbrough, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

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

Anna Lee Lawson, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sims Lawson, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Talley Brinn Loftin, 19, daughter of Mrs. Roney Loftin and Mr. Gordon Bartley Loftin III, Randolph School, Samford University;

Emily Grace Mantooth, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kevin Mantooth, Huntsville High School, Samford University;

Cecilia Alexandra Masucci, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Joseph Masucci, Jr., Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Katherine Jeanne McCown, 18, daughter of The Reverend and Mrs. William Russell McCown, Huntsville High School, Sewanee: The University of the South;

Emma Caroline McCrary, 19, daughter of Mrs. Myra Ponder McCrary and Mr. Roy Thorson McCrary, Jr., Randolph School, Auburn University;

Allison Elizabeth Murphree, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Steven Willard Murphree, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Kalli Ilyssa Scherlis, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Morris Lee Scherlis, Randolph School, University of Alabama;

Cara Joyce Sharpe, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Bruce Sharpe, Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Madison Laine Sheible, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Marvin Broadway, Jr. and Mr. Daniel Gregory Sheible, Randolph School, Auburn University;

Alice Lawson Stallworth, 19, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David Kern Stallworth, Monroe Academy, University of Alabama;

Darby Hunter Steinberger, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Eric Steinberger, Lake Highland Preparatory School, Auburn University;

Harper Louise Stephens, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Holman Harold Stephens, Huntsville High School, Auburn University;

Emily Ann Sutphin, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neil Walker Sutphin, Huntsville High School, University of Mississippi;

Brooke McKenzie Taylor, 18, daughter of Mrs. Curran Taylor and Mr. Herbert Montgomery Taylor, Jr., Huntsville High School, University of Alabama;

Allison Anne Vann, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Thompson Vann, George Walton High School, Auburn University;