The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League introduced the 2021-2022 debutantes during Announcement Weekend festivities held May 27- May 30. The weekend marked the official start of a season of events culminating with the 36th Presentation Ball, which will be held February 12, 2022. 

The weekend began with the announcement party at Stanley Korshak on Thursday evening, May 27. On Friday morning, May 28, Stanley Korshak hosted a couture gown show which was followed with an evening mixer at Mattito’s. On Sunday, May 30^th, an afternoon reception was held at Etro in Highland Park Village.   

The Honorary Chair for the 2022 Presentation Ball is Sherwood Wagner, a longtime supporter of the DSO and the Dallas community.

The Presentation Ball Chair is Elizabeth Gambrell and DSOL President is Venise Stuart. Elizabeth and Venise know well what to expect during the debutante season. Elizabeth’s daughter Eleanor made her debut in 2020. Venise was Presentation Ball Chair in 2015 and also had an Honor Guard son, Marcus.

The formal announcement of the debutantes by Stan Gardner went flawlessly. Heather Moore and Kendra Averitt were among the many volunteers who worked behind the scenes to coach the debutantes and the honor guard in the staging area.

There are numerous parents who have had debutante daughters and honor guard sons in prior years.

Margaret and Barry Hancock’s daughter Katherine will be making her debut and they know the debutante season well. Daughter Mary Margaret made her debut in 2016 and son James was an Honor Guard in 2020. However, their history with the Presentation Ball dates even further back starting with the first ball held in 1987 when Barry was an Honor Guard. He met Margaret the next year when she made her debut and they were married a few years later. With Katherine’s upcoming debut, all the family members will have participated. 

Janie and David Condon’s daughter Grace will be the third (and last!) debutante in the family to be presented.

The Presentation Ball was created with the vision of long-time League member Tincy Miller, who also chaired the first ball. She was introduced to provide the background and history of the annual event.

“The Presentation Ball brings families and friends together, with friendships old and new creating a Camelot experience to carry you a lifetime,” said Tincy. “We do not remember the days, we remember the moments. This is a Camelot moment.”

Other attendees included Sarah Jo and Mark Hardin, Kim Noltemy, and Marena and Roger Gault.

The 2021-2022 debutantes are: Nora Arnold, Virginia Baker, Bailey Beaird, Cambridge Bender, London Boscamp, Abigail Brannon, Riley Cheek, Grace Condon, Amelia Cox, Erin Daugherty, Eliza Davis, Katherine Downing, Katherine Edwards, Katie Elliott, Virginia Fielder, Sydney Goodiel, Katherine Hancock, Audrey Hanna, Emily Hea, Reva Henderson, Ava Heppner, Julia Hicks, Stephanie Hirschbrich, Sophie Hung, Madigan Jacoby, Grace Judin, Claire Koonsman, Story Langston, Ashley Laughlin, McKinley Lawson, Brooke Marvel, Ashlyn Meuse, Anna Mikeska, Kate Murray, Ashlee Newton, Abbey Perry, Mary Tarver Reid, Anna Robinowitz, Annie Sawers, Bella Scott, Sarah Smith, Lydia Szuwalski, Margaret Thompson, Samantha Ungerman, Ella Varel, Annie Walker, Elizabeth Walsh, Tory Wicklund, and Kelsey Wittmann.

The Presentation Ball, which was first held in 1987, is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. Over $12 million has been raised for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through the annual event. 

Founded in 1946, the DSOL's mission is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising activities. Since 1998 the League has contributed over $20 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which help bring the wonder of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to thousands of youths and adults in the Dallas Metroplex.

 Two Texas wineries were featured at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s annual  Savor the Symphony.  The fundraiser was held as a hybrid event – ticket holders enjoyed the event in person at the Ritz-Carlton, or they opted to have their three-course dinner delivered to their home with the event program streamed directly to them. 

The event was a sellout. For those attending in person, Savor the Symphony was an elegant evening with a three-course dinner and silent auction held at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, on Thursday, April 29. The evening began with a champagne reception and silent auction followed by a seated dinner and program at 7:15 p.m. 

The Honorary Chair was Roberta Corbett, a longtime supporter of the DSO and the Dallas community. Sharon Ballew was the event chair and Anne Ligon is the DSOL President. 

Guests were exuberant about getting dressed up and attending the in-person event. Comments overheard included that this was the “first time in a year to put on mascara, high heels, and a cocktail dress.” 

The hotel observed social distance protocols by reducing the number of attendees and seating six at each table. 

Kim Noltemy, Ross Perot President & CEO of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, thanked the guests for attending and emphasized that the proceeds of events such as these benefit the education and outreach programs of the DSO. The Young Musicians was launched recently as part of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Southern Dallas Residency, providing free instruments and free instruction to students in Dallas’s southern area through after-school and summer camp programs. 

 “These programs are so vital because children in these programs perform better in school and they give them social and emotional learning experiences,” said Noltemy. 

Others in attendance included Myrna and Bob Schlegel, Venise and Larry Stuart, Angela Fontana and Andy Szuwalski, Jolie and Bart Humphrey, Barbara and Bob Bigham, Carole Ann and Dick Brown, Donna and Herb Weitzman, Marena and Roger Gault, and C’Mone and Nick Wingo. 

The program for the evening featured two Texas wineries, each owned by past chairs of Savor the Symphony: Rose Mary Gatlin from Inwood Estates Winery and Nan Michelle Anderson of Triple N Ranch Winery.   

Rose Mary Gatlin and her husband Dan are owners of Inwood Estates Winery with locations in Dallas and Fredericksburg. Rose Mary co-chaired Savor in 2000 and was a longtime member of the League, serving as President in 2008-2009. Inwood Estates specializes in making superior quality fine wines from attentively farmed Texas grapes. They have been named one of the top one hundred wineries in America for three years in a row. For more information, visit www.inwoodwines.com. 

Nan Michelle Anderson was chairman of Savor in 2017 and recently opened Triple N Ranch Winery this past summer. The Triple N brand is named for Nan Creel, the matriarch of the Ranch and Winery Family, her daughter, Nan Michelle, and her granddaughter, Nan Christina. The senior Nan started raising purebred Texas Longhorns in the ’80s at her Henderson County ranch. In 2020, Nan Michelle opened the Triple N Ranch Winery, specializing in high quality Texas wines. They are excited to offer a multi-generational Texas-women owned winery showcasing the best Texas grown grapes and wines. The winery is located in the beautiful East Texas Cedar Creek Lake area in Trinidad, Texas, serving hand-crafted wines with good food in moderation.  For more information, visit www.triplenranchwinery.com. 

The proceeds from the evening will benefit the Dallas Symphony Orchestra education and outreach programs, including DSO Kids, Young Musicians, and Young Strings. 

Mission Statement: The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League is an organization of volunteers who support the Dallas Symphony Association through service, education and fundraising activities. 

History: 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 $20 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 Chuck Clark

The hybrid event allows ticketholders to choose where they will dine:

 at home or at the Ritz-Carlton

Patrons of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s annual  Savor the Symphony were disappointed last year when the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 precautions in place at that time.  This year the fundraiser will be held as a hybrid event – ticket holders can enjoy the event in person at the Ritz-Carlton or they can opt to have their three-course dinner delivered to their home with the event program streamed directly to them.  

For those attending in person, Savor the Symphony will be an elegant evening with a three-course dinner and silent auction held at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, on Thursday, April 29. The evening will begin with a champagne reception and silent auction  followed by a seated dinner and program at 7:15 p.m.  

The Honorary Chair is Roberta Corbett, a longtime supporter of the DSO and the Dallas community. Sharon Ballew is the event chair and Anne Ligon is the DSOL President. Event Advisors are Barbara Bigham, Carole Ann Brown, Mari Epperson, Renee Farren, Jill Goldberg, Bettina Hennessy, and Venise Stuart.  

Honorary Chair Roberta Corbett currently serves on the Board of the Dallas Symphony Association, funded the Tom and Roberta Corbett Director of Education position, and assisted in the founding of the Lynn Harrell Concerto Competition.  She also is an active member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League and has held several positions over the years.  Roberta’s love for the symphony was inspired by her late husband, Tom Corbett, and his family.  

Roberta currently works with the Tennessee State Arts Commission, Curator of Education Cheekwood Fine Arts Center in Nashville, Dallas Museum of Art’s Education Wing, Independent Curator, and Corbett Lighting Contract Sales. She is an active community volunteer serving on the Guild of Dallas Board, Advisory Boards of Meadows School of the Arts, AddRan School of Liberal Arts at Texas Christian University and Texas Christian University National Alumni Committee.  

The program for the evening will feature two past chairs of Savor the Symphony who also happen to be the owners of  Texas wineries: Rose Mary Gatlin from Inwood Estates Winery and Nan Michelle Anderson of Triple N Ranch Winery.    

Rose Mary Gatlin and her husband Dan are owners of Inwood Estates Winery with locations in Dallas and Fredericksburg. Rose Mary co-chaired Savor in 2000 and was a long-time member of the League, serving as President in 2008-2009. Inwood Estates specializes in making superior quality fine wines from attentively farmed Texas grapes. They have been named one of the top one hundred wineries in America for three years in a row. For more information, visit www.inwoodwines.com.  

Nan Michelle Anderson was chairman of Savor in 2017 and recently opened Triple N Ranch Winery this past summer. The Triple N brand is named for Nan Creel, the matriarch of the Ranch and Winery Family, her daughter, Nan Michelle, and her granddaughter, Nan Christina. The senior Nan started raising purebred Texas Longhorns in the ’80’s at her Henderson County ranch. In 2020, Nan Michelle opened the Triple N Ranch Winery, specializing in high quality Texas wines. They are excited to offer a multi-generational Texas-women owned winery showcasing the best Texas grown grapes and wines. The winery is located  in the beautiful East Texas Cedar Creek Lake area in Trinidad, Texas, serving hand-crafted wines with good food in moderation.  For more information, visit www.triplenranchwinery.com. 

The proceeds from the evening will benefit the Dallas Symphony Orchestra education and outreach programs, including DSO Kids, Young Musicians, and Young Strings. 

Sponsorships: $15,000, $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 and $2,500. Underwriting tickets with Patron benefits are $2,500, $1,000, $500, $350. Additional levels are $275, and $100 (virtual only, no dinner). Patron- level ticket holders will have a virtual wine event on April 22. The deadline to purchase tickets is April 20. For details of ticket levels and the benefits for each, visit the website at www.dallassymphonyleague.com or contact Deborah Brown at 214-649-1773. 

Mission Statement: The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League is an organization of volunteers who support the Dallas Symphony Association through service, education and fundraising activities. 

History: 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 $20 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.

Brad Grist, Chairman of the Board of Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce (GEDCC), delivered Lifetime Member awards to three longtime and dedicated members. This award is presented to individuals who have exhibited exemplary service to the East Dallas Chamber and to the East Dallas community. The three recognized members are Roger Perry, Darlene Ellison, and Fred Welsh.

Roger Perry has been a long time Chamber member and was the first Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GEDCC to serve three consecutive years in 2011-2013.

Darlene Ellison was a Chamber member over 20 years ago and served as Chairman for three years 2014, 2015 and again in 2018. Her father Bud Doxey was also a Chairman for three years from 1993-1995. They are the only father-daughter set who have both served as Chair.

Fred Welsh has served in virtually every capacity for the Chamber in his many years as a member and received the Chamber’s Chairman's Award in 2017 for his service. His love for East Dallas is contagious and he is involved with numerous other local community organizations.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League (DSOL) celebrated music and fashion at the 7^th annual Fashion Notes Designer Award Luncheon and Style Show presented by Veritex Community Bank on Wednesday, November 4, at the Fairmont Dallas. 

Mother-daughter duo, Cile McCormick and Claire Catrino served as Honorary Chairs. Cile is a devoted supporter of the symphony and a longtime member of DSOL. Her daughter Claire was a debutante, Assembly officer, and now serves on the DSOL Board. 

Karen Cox chaired the event and Anne Ligon is the DSOL President. 

This year the DSOL celebrates its 75^th anniversary. Throughout the last 75 years, the League has donated over 20 million dollars to the Dallas Symphony. This would not have been possible without all the amazing women who have served as Presidents of the League. The Past Presidents of the DSOL were collectively the recipients of the Fashion Notes Designer Award for their work in designing and guiding the league for 75 years.  

As one of the few live events held this season, the morning began with a carefully orchestrated agenda respecting social distancing and CDC protocols. The DSOL acknowledged the safety and comfort with temperature taken upon arrival, only six guests per table, tables spaced more than six feet apart, and strict CDC protocol followed by hotel staff. Tickets were limited in order to adhere to CDC guidelines. 

A reception and Mystery Notes gift pull was followed by the luncheon and style show, Fashion Notes Designer Award presentation, a live auction, and a performance by DSO Young Strings cellist Rahel Lulseged. The latest fashions from TOOTSIES were featured, with Nerissa von Helpenstill and Dustin Holcomb of TOOTSIES serving as emcees. 

Proceeds 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, Symphony Yes!, DSO Kids, Young Strings and Young Musicians.  

“The idea of putting a violin or flute in the hands of a child who might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument is heartwarming,” said event chair Karen Cox. “I am humbled to be part of this fun Fashion Notes Luncheon and support the important community outreach programs of the DSO.”  

The Luncheon was sponsored by Veritex Community Bank/Darlene Ellison, TOOTSIES, and Fairmont Dallas.

Mission Statement: The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League is an organization of volunteers who support the Dallas Symphony Association through service, education and fundraising activities.  

History: 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 $19 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which help bring the wonder of music to thousands in the Dallas Metroplex.

 Photos by Jeff Smith