The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League was excited to bring back the very popular Savor the Symphony which began in 2000. The black-tie event was held on April 22 at the newly renovated Adolphus Hotel, bringing together Symphony Patrons and business leaders for an evening with a lavish five-course wine paired dinner, auction and dancing.
The event was chaired by Michelle Creel Anderson and the Honorary Chairs were Barbara and Robert Bigham. Sandy Secor is the League President.
The elegant night began with a cocktail reception featuring a music trio from the Dallas Symphony Young Strings, one of the programs that will benefit from the proceeds of the evening. The guests had the opportunity to bid on individual bottles of wine and other items in the silent auction, preview the live auction packages and to purchase wine through the Wine Pull.
After being seated for dinner, announcements were made before the five delicious wine paired food courses were served. Honorary Chair Barbara Bigham had been asked to provide a few comments and endeared herself to the audience. She talked about one of the first galas she chaired for the symphony and the many hours required for the planning. After the big event, she and husband Bob were driving and he pointed to a Tom Thumb grocery store. “Do you remember what that is?” he jokingly asked. Apparently months of work and preparation allowed little time for home cooked meals.
One couple in attendance that could certainly empathize was Jolie Humphrey and Bart Humphrey. Jolie had recently chaired the DSOL Presentation Ball which took more than a year of planning for the season of events.
As attendees dined, the Dallas String Quartet entertained with a fusion of classical and contemporary music played on electric strings.
The live auction included wine tastings, Dallas Symphony packages, and a beautiful Michele Deco Diamond Watch.
The event was made possible in part by sponsors including The Adolphus Hotel, Heritage Auctions and Jimmy’s Food Store. Underwriters included Sherwood Wagner, Diane Brierley, and Barbara and Bob Bigham among others.
In addition to the Young Strings program, the proceeds from the evening will benefit the Dallas Symphony Association and its education and community outreach programs. Some of the quality outreach programs the League supports are: DSO on the Go, Community Concerts and Performances, Cecil and Ida Green Youth Concerts, SymphonyYes!, and DSO Kids. A Sponsorship of the Red Violin Program provides a financial gift to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Young Strings through the Innovators of the DSOL. Children are provided with the sponsored instrument and receive lessons and performance Opportunities.
Red Violin Sponsor benefits include a listing in the DSO program, naming rights of the instrument, a report including a biography of the student, a history of the instrument and invitations to select concerts and receptions where the instrument is being played.
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League is an organization of volunteers who support the Dallas Symphony Association through service, education and fundraising activities.
This also marks the 70th anniversary of the DSO League. Since 1946, the DSO League has worked to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising efforts. Since 1998, the League has contributed more than $12 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which help bring the wonder of music to thousands of youths and adults in the Dallas Metroplex.
Photos by James French