Symphony Ball: In a League of its own

Bagpiper Kay Gordon Irwin led guests from the silent auction into the ballroom when it was time for dinner.

Bagpiper Kay Gordon Irwin led guests from the silent auction into the ballroom when it was time for dinner.

You don’t normally expect to see a bagpiper and cloggers at the elegant Knoxville Symphony Ball at Cherokee Country Club, but since the theme this year was “A Tennessee Christmas,” it seemed appropriate.

The ball every year is the signature event of the Knoxville Symphony League, a group of dedicated supporters led by President Edie Volk who annually raise about $200,000 for the orchestra.

“Our organization would not be what it is today without the unwavering support of the league,” said Rachel Ford, executive director of the Knoxville Symphony. “I greatly appreciate the countless hours that its members spend on our behalf.”

Members of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Principal Quartet greeted folks as they arrived. From left, Daniel Choo, Elizabeth Joo, Sarah Johnson and Jerry Zhou.

Members of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Principal Quartet greeted folks with beautiful music as they arrived. From left, Daniel Choo, Elizabeth Joo, Sarah Johnson and Jerry Zhou.

Rhonda Webster was chairman of the ball. She was running all day and night -- as evidenced by the shoes.

Rhonda Webster was chair of the ball. She was running all day and night — as evidenced by the shoes.

A sleigh filled with booze and other treats was on display in the lobby. It would be auctioned off later in the night.

A sleigh filled with wine and other treats was on display in the lobby. Its contents would be auctioned off later in the night.

Rick Stone and Angela Howard. He's on the Symphony board.

Rick Stone and Angela Howard. He’s on the symphony board. What a fabulous dress.

This scarf of Margie Carico was perfect for a Christmastime affair.

This scarf of league member Margie Carico was perfect for a Christmastime affair.

Donna and Chris Kinney with KSO Executive Director Rachel Ford, right. Chris is a KSO board member.

Donna and Chris Kinney with KSO Executive Director Rachel Ford, right. Chris is a KSO board member.

One of the more dramatic silent auction items: an opera cloak.

One of the more dramatic silent auction items: an opera cloak.

League member Willene Chalmers, right, with her granddaughter Dorian Ewing, who was modeling a diamond bracelet that was part of the auction.

KSO board member Willene Chalmers, right, with her granddaughter, Dorian Ewing, who traditionally is a model during the auction.

Symphony League members Stacy Moody, left, and Cynthia Sowa.

Symphony League members Stacy Moody, left, and Cynthia Sowa.

Symphony League member Willene Chalmers, left, with Jim Clayton and Michell Witt. Jim is a KSO board member.

Willene Chalmers with Jim Clayton and Michell Witt. Jim also is a KSO board member.

KSO Board member Tom Shaw and his wife, Evelyn.

KSO board member Tom Shaw and his wife, Evelyn.

Susan and Jeff Arbital.

Susan and Jeff Arbital.

Susan French and Bill Johnson.

Susan French and Bill Johnson.

From left, Rich Fox, Alan Carmichael and Ralph Cianelli.

From left, Rick Fox, Alan Carmichael and Ralph Cianelli. Rick is on the KSO board.

Carol and Don Parnell.

Carol and Don Parnell.

League member Elizabeth Grant, left, with Cyndi Klassen.

League member Elizabeth Grant, left, with Cyndi Klassen.

Donie and Ed Green.

League member Donie and Ed Green.

League member Becky and Bob Paylor. Becky also serves on the KSO board.

League member Becky and Bob Paylor. Becky also serves on the KSO board.

David Wilkinson and state Sen. Becky Massey.

David Williamson and state Sen. Becky Massey.

Carolyn Lawrence with Morton Massey.

League member Carolyn Lawrence with Morton Massey.

Lisa Bogaty, left, with Janet and Russell Greer.

Lisa Bogaty, left, with Janet and Russell Greer.

Old Forge Distillery kept folks in good spirits.

Old Forge Distillery kept folks in good spirits.

Sam Venable, shown here with his wife, Mary Ann, was master of ceremonies.

Sam Venable, shown here with his wife, Mary Ann, did a great job as master of ceremonies.

Soon it was time to be seated. I adore okra in every form, but this was really different: okra croutons. Ha.

Soon it was time to be seated. I adore okra in every form, but this was really different: okra “croutons” is how they were described on the menu. Looked like regular (and delicious) fried okra to me! Ha.

Tom Shaw talks to Russ and Holly Watkins during dinner.

It was a great place to table hop. Tom Shaw talks to Russ and Holly Watkins during dinner.

Russ is president-elect of the Knoxville Symphony board.

Russ is president-elect of the Knoxville Symphony board.

Theresa Stone, left, with Jay and Joanne Mounger. Theresa is on the KSO board. Joanne is a League member.

Theresa Stone, left, with Jay and Joanne Mounger. Theresa is on the KSO board. Joanne is an honorary board member.

League member Nancy Weigel, right, and her daughter, Nan Sweitzer.

League member Nancy Weigel, right, and her daughter, Nan Sweitzer.

Gil and Edie Volk, president of the Symphony League.

Gil and Edie Volk, president of the Symphony League.

Shirley Elder and Bear Stephenson, the evening's hard working auctioneer.

Shirley Elder and Bear Stephenson, the evening’s hard working auctioneer.

Terry and Rachel Ford.

Terry and Rachel Ford.

Sid and Jo Blalock with Harvey White, at right.

Sid and Jo Blalock with Harvey White, at right.

KSO's resident conductor, James Fellenbaum, and his wife, Sarah.

KSO’s resident conductor, James Fellenbaum, and his wife, Sarah.

Ellen Robinson, center, with Donna Kinney and Ellen's husband, Peter Acly.

Ellen Robinson, center, with Donna Kinney and Ellen’s husband, Peter Acly. Peter is on the KSO board.

Mark and Cathy Hill.

Mark and Cathy Hill.

KSO Board member Betsey Bush, left, with John and League member Sandra Butler.

KSO Board member Betsey Bush, left, with John and league member Sandra Butler.

My husband's favorite part of any meal is dessert -- and he loved this pumpkin roll with cinnamon Anglaise sauce.

My husband’s favorite part of any meal is dessert — and he loved this pumpkin roll with cinnamon Anglaise sauce. The main course was beef tenderloin and tilapia and it was delicious, too.

Mary Sue Greiner is development director of the Knoxville Symphony, but she’s also a talented singer. She was accompanied by KSO board member Tom Shaw on piano performing the theme song of the evening, “A Tender Tennessee Christmas.” Here’s a 15-second sample of it:

 

And then the cloggers! They were the Dare 2 Dance Clogging Academy of Kingston, Tennessee. Take a look:

 

Soon it was time for dancing to the Al Curtis Orchestra.

Soon it was time for dancing to the Al Curtis Orchestra.

And folks were ready for it!

And folks were ready for it!

Bill and Genetta Pugh.

Bill and Genetta Pugh.

Jane and Frank Venable.

Jane and Frank Venable.

Jim Clayton and Michell Witt.

Jim Clayton and Michell Witt.

Ted and Kathryn Lewis.

Ted and Kathryn Lewis.

Here's my favorite picture of the night. I call it "Jackson gets mobbed" because I think Rick Stone looks like my favorite singer, Jackson Browne. Ha. Doing the "mobbing" are Rachel Ford and Mary Sue Greiner of the Symphony staff and Rick's actual girlfriend, Angela Howard, in front. (She's a good sport.)

Here’s my favorite picture of the night. I call it “Jackson gets mobbed” because I think Rick Stone looks like my favorite singer, Jackson Browne. Ha. Doing the “mobbing” are Rachel Ford and Mary Sue Greiner of the symphony staff and Rick’s actual girlfriend, Angela Howard, in front. (She’s a good sport.)

Aww. Angela and Rick found a sweet way to end the evening out on the patio.

Aww. Angela and Rick found a sweet way to end the evening out on the patio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6 Responses to Symphony Ball: In a League of its own

  1. Alan Carmichael, on January 22nd, 2016 at 10:52 am said:

    Bagpipes, cloggers, sneakers, “Jackson Browne”: what else do you need?

  2. Melinda Meador, on January 22nd, 2016 at 11:33 am said:

    Wish I’d been there to bid on that beautiful opera cloak! Wonder where it came from….

  3. Angela Howard (aka "Jackson Brown's girlfriend"), on January 22nd, 2016 at 2:59 pm said:

    Great Pics!…Especially the one with Mary Sue playing with Jackson Brown’s hair!!!

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on January 22nd, 2016 at 8:21 pm said:

    Melinda: Maybe someone will post an answer.

    Angela: As I said, you are a great sport!

  5. Carolyn Jensen, on January 24th, 2016 at 2:53 pm said:

    Love your pictures of people and food. Makes you feel like you have been there!

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