The gift
Symphony Ball never fails to deliver and delight
Published On: December 27, 2011
There are certain things you expect to see and hear at Nashville’s Symphony Ball, the city’s premiere winter fundraiser. There will always be incredible music—from both the Harmony Award winner and the band—Craig Duncan and crew being the go-to band as of late. There will always be stunning women in beautiful jewel-hued gowns, ready to celebrate the holiday season. The food will be unique and delicious, thanks to Executive Chef Roger Keenan. The décor will impress—although the Schermerhorn Symphony Center doesn’t need to sparkle, the master event planners always manage to make the place even more appealing with flowers, lighting and draping. Lady and gentleman guests will save their holiday shopping for the night as the jewelry, this year’s designed by Zonnie Sheik, is unfailingly too tempting to resist. And, guests are always happy to know that their tariff for attending the evening will go directly towards the Symphony to ensure and promote our city’s world-class orchestra.
But most importantly, you can always anticipate surprises.
Between the creative minds of the Ball’s co-chairs, Vicki Horne and Laurie Eskind, the 2011 fundraiser delivered on all counts and then some. Let’s start with one of the exciting new twists at this year’s magical evening. It’s a big one.
Vicki and Laurie cajoled Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero to conduct members of his orchestra for the first time at the event, which was returned to its rightful home—the Schermerhorn—repaired to perfection from damages suffered during Nashville’s Great Flood. He led his team in a performance of Respighi’s rousing “The Pines of the Appian Way.” The ladies must have promised the Maestro something special in return for his sacrificing his one chance to be off for the night.
A new addition to the Ball this year was The Late Party Committee, chaired by Marissa and Ben Russ and Melissa and Wade Rick. It’s such a smart way to involve the younger set with the Symphony, and we’re seeing more and more fundraisers picking up on this savvy trend. Another fun surprise that pumped up guests as they arrived—a crew of musicians playing rhythms that greeted folks in the valet line.
The co-chairs scored a big one for the Harmony Award recipient. Yes, the one-and-only Taylor Swift took to the stage to sing her latest hit, “Mine.” After being introduced by Scott Borchetta of Big Machine Records to a standing ovation, the Symphony’s Alan Valentine presented her with the Harmony Award. Taylor glowed in an ethereal gown by Reem Acra, sparkly jewels by LAVANDE and every girl’s favorite heels, Jimmy Choo.
Amidst the splendor of the Schermerhorn, Branches managed to take the décor and flowers to a new level, turning the exceptional venue into a shimmering winter wonderland. Guests departed into the crisp, cold night with delicious little Bundtinis by NOTHING bundt CAKES, and hopped in their cars to find a delightfully wrapped present of Taylor’s latest CD and a glass paperweight with an Iris-etching, mirroring the Ball’s invitation.
One more constant at the Symphony Ball: You can always rely on it to perk up your holiday spirit.
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