Annie and David Colquitt at this year’s Symphony Ball. He’s on the KSO board. The theme of the ball this year was the “Roaring Twenties!”
Greetings! Hope everyone is holding up during these stressful times of social distancing. I decided to haul out a not-so-long-ago memory of the Symphony Ball when we all gathered to eat, drink and even dance together. It makes me smile to even think about it.
I have gone to many Symphony Balls in my time on the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Board. And I can tell you the event has been immensely improved since the Knoxville Symphony League, which puts it on, has included a performance by the actual Knoxville Symphony as part of the evening’s festivities.
The date change of the ball has enabled a Symphony performance to be possible. In the old days, the event was set on the first Saturday in December — and the KSO was always tied up playing for “The Nutcracker” performance. Now that the event is in February or March, that’s not an issue. This year, the ball was on Feb. 29 at Cherokee Country Club, only a few weeks before the coronavirus shut down most of our social activities.
The ballroom setup was lovely, although the blue lighting would prove problematic for photographing the food!
The orchid centerpieces were stunning.
But first, cocktails and a silent auction. Here’s Robin Smith straight out of the 1920s!
Signature cocktail was “Bee’s Knees!” Love the little honey servers!
Korenna Hodge, the principal harpist for the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra, provided gorgeous welcoming tunes.
From left, KSO Music Director Aram Demirjian and his wife, Caraline, with Alexa and Bill Riley. He is the president of the KSO board of directors.
Awesome outfits, John and Linda Haynes!
And Sharon and Dr. Bill Laing! Sharon is a KSO board member.
Sharon and Joe Pryse seemed to be having fun! She’s on the KSO board.
KSO Executive Director Rachel Ford, center, with Rose Moseley, left, and Theresa Stone, a KSO board member.
Loved the individual shrimp cocktails served duriing the silent auction in the River Room.
I believe that’s what my husband, Alan Carmichael, is enjoying in this photo.
These people look ready to party! From left Sylvia Peters, Marga and Jay McBride and Mary Morris.
David Williams and Susan Arbital looked great while checking out the silent auction items!
Carolyn and Ron Lawrence.
Sharp-dressed men Ralph Cianelli, left, and KSO board member Rick Fox.
Annette Winston helping with the silent auction in her role as a member of the Akima Club.
Cynthia Sowa with my husband, Alan Carmichael, left, and Terry Ford.
Violinists Stacy Taylor and Sean Claire.
Tyler Janow, left, and Anthony Wilson doing some silent auction shopping.
KSO board member Mardel Fehrenbach and John McDonald.
Al and Susan Yanno.
Pete and Jan Crawford.
From left, Terry and Rachel Ford, Whit and Rachel Addicks, Mary and Shannon Holland.
Elizabeth Grant rocking the Roaring Twenties look!
Buddies Harriet Hodge and Harvey White.
From left in that darn blue light in the ballroom, Elizabeth Offringa, president of the Knoxville Symphony League, Bette and Richard Bryan (she’s on the KSO board), and Sande MacMorran, the KSO’s principal tuba player.
Nancy and Brian Bosson.
Blake and Laurie Macnair. She was chair of the Ball Committee.
Kim Henry, left, and Ellen Robinson at the Moxley Carmichael/Merchant & Gould table.
Also with us, this fun couple: Tasha Blakney and Michael Rogers. They were plotting their auction strategy!
Joe and Ruth Fielden, who is a KSO board member.
The auction was loaded with great opportunities such as a retreat at The Swag resort in nearby North Carolina.
Bob Lederer and Kay Clayton.
Auctioneer Bear Stephenson and his girlfriend, Shirley Elder.
Dino Cartwright dressed to kill!
And then Conductor Demirjian brought the music!
It was lovely.
Musicians, from left, Mary Pulgar, Sean Claire and Zofia Glashauser.
Ildar Khuziakmetov, center, with Yan Peng, left, and Dan Thompson.
From left, Stacy Nickell, Jennifer Bloch, Mike Combs, Andy Bryenton, Yan Peng and Ildar Khuziakmetov.
Haha. The KSO’s development director, Mary Sue Greiner, at the end of the night!
Here’s a sample of the beautiful music:
And, to help you remember what it was like when we could crowd onto a dance floor:
Lovely event! Thanks again for including me. One of the League’s best.
It was fun having you, Ellen! Who would have dreamed it was one of the last big public gatherings we’d be able to attend?
That was such a beautiful event. I can’t wait until we can be together again. When that happens, I’ll be hugging people tight enough to break some ribs!
Annette: I know what you mean. Not taking so many things for granted after this is over.
What a fashionable crowd. Love your pictures, and I may have to save them. We may not see anything so festive for a while! (Boo hoo)
Ah, the good ole’ days. And I don’t mean the 1920s.
Rusha: I hope we can do it again in the not too distant future.
Gay: Ha!
Great period outfits. I know who John Haynes was channeling.
Enjoyed this. Just what I needed this morning.
It was a beautiful event. Of course the music was fabulous! Everyone seemed to have had a great time. Dressing up in the period clothes was a blast (except my Boa was molting all over the place) – it was fun to see everyone’s great outfits…as well as their alter egos ; )
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