Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild

Presents the 63^rd Debutante Ball

March 31, 2026

Dear Debutante Mother,

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild is delighted to have the opportunity to present your daughter at the 2026 Symphony Ball. The Ball will be held on Saturday, October 17^th in the Saturn Ballroom of the Von Braun Civic Center. We are so excited that the exceptionally talented Charlotte Wessel of Buckets and Blooms will be our floral designer. Under her inspired guidance, the Saturn Ballroom will be transformed into a magical starlit setting—beautifully capturing the spirit of a Starlight Symphony.

In order for our committee to communicate more easily with you, please go to www.hsoguild.org and select the Symphony Ball Forms under the menu option. Then, from the Symphony Ball Forms, select the Debutante Personal Data Form and complete it as soon as possible. This will enable us to share important information with the Ball Committee for the upcoming Debutante season. Your role is integral to the success of this event, and we thank you in advance. If you have any questions, I can be reached at 256-658-2828 or sam@bentleyauto.com.

The Ball Committee has organized a day of activities for the Debutantes designed to foster an appreciation for civic responsibility and community engagement. The Service Project will allow them to enhance the HSO Third Grade Violin Program as well as provide comfort to pediatric patients at Huntsville Hospital with coloring book packets. Lee Marshall of Kids to Love will give an inspiring and motivational talk during lunch.

We are excited to offer a Debutante season full of fun, educational and social events. Please begin this journey by filling out the above-mentioned forms. Then, start gathering addresses and full formal names of your guests, and look for a white, floor-length gown for your daughter to wear for presentation. Dress requirements are found in your notebook under “History and Presentation, Dress Requirements and Attire.”

Again, thank you for this opportunity to create a special and memorable evening for you, your daughter, family and friends.

Sincerely,

Samantha Bentley

2026 Symphony Ball Chairman

The Huntsville Symphony Ball

Legacy and Tradition

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild is pleased to have the honor of presenting your daughter at the 2026 Symphony Ball. The Symphony Ball is truly a magical evening for the debutante and her family. Now in its sixty-third year, the Huntsville Symphony Ball is an integral part of the cultural foundation of Huntsville families and Huntsville history. You are now a part of that legacy and tradition.

~ The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild Symphony Ball

History and Debutante Presentation

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild presented the first Symphony Ball in 1964. The sole purpose was, and is still today, to increase financial support of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

While in the planning stages, the Guild was approached by a group of people requesting consideration be given to the presentation of Debutantes at the Ball. After careful deliberation, the independent Debutante Board was established. Board members were chosen for their ability to make a fair and impartial selection of young ladies to be presented to Huntsville society and membership has remained secret.

The Symphony Guild neither wanted, nor has it ever assumed in any way, responsibility for selection of the Debutantes. Mrs. John Wallace III, a member of the Symphony Guild and Debutante Presentation Chairman, served as liaison to this board from 1964 through 1975. Mrs. L.G. Rambo fulfilled that responsibility from 1976 through 2002. Mrs. Peter Loftis Lowe served from 2003 through 2015. Mrs. Carl John Gessler, junior assumed this position in 2016.

Dress Requirements for the Ball

The Debutante:

• The debutante’s dress must be white in color (NOT off-white) and floor length.

• Strapless gowns are not allowed.

• Her gloves must be 16-button length white kid.

• Because of photographic lighting, an extra-thick or double petticoat may be

necessary

• She may wear no flowers other than the bouquet furnished by the Symphony Guild.

• Very simple jewelry is suggested.

• In order to avoid duplication, a photo or sketch of the dress with the designer,

model number, and written description should be sent as soon as possible to the

Debutante Presentation Chairman:

Sarah Gessler-- sarahwgessler@gmail.com

Gowns will need to be approved prior to ordering.

The Mother: Floor-length ball gown, not white and preferably not black

The Father/Presenter: Full formal attire: white tie, tails, white gloves, etc. These may be rented locally. Boutonniere is furnished by the Symphony Guild.

The Escort: Same as the father. Boutonniere is furnished by the Symphony Guild

The Marshal: Tuxedo. Boutonniere is furnished by the Symphony Guild

Guests: Formal Attire for both men and women: Tuxedos for the men, and floor-length ball gowns (no dress pants) for the women. Short cocktail dresses are not appropriate.

Florentine Gloves

Dear Debutante Families,

Florentine Gloves has enjoyed helping Debutantes and their families in the past, and we look forward to being your source for gloves again this year. We import elegant White Kidskin Gloves directly from the manufacturer in Italy and can therefore offer them at considerable savings. Since 2002, we have been supplying gloves to debutantes and their families nationwide through our website and currently work with over 100 Debutante Balls. In addition to online ordering, we also accept orders by phone and payment with Venmo.

Florentine Gloves offers Silk-Lined and Unlined Debutante Gloves (24”), Short Gloves (wrist-length), Mid-Forearm Gloves (below the elbow) and Men’s Formal Gloves (for Fathers presenting and Escorts). To measure for size, place a tape measure across the knuckles on the top of the hand and wrap it around the palm. Where it meets “in inches” is the size. In the Unlined Debutante Gloves, we also offer Wide sizes which progressively widen from the wrist up to the top of the glove to accommodate muscular biceps. Some girls may need to size up to allow more space in the upper arm. If you have questions, please contact us.

The Ladies sizes are 6, 6 ½, 7, 7 ½, 8, 8 ½, and 9. The Men’s sizes are 8, 8 ½, 9, 9 ½, and 10.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call 803-790-7221 or email caroline@florentinegloves.com. You may also visit our website at www.florentinegloves.com.

Sincerely,

Caroline Lumpkin Sozzi

———————————————

Florentine Gloves

4853 Forest Ridge Lane

Columbia, SC 29206

caroline@florentinegloves.com

www.florentinegloves.com

BULLET & BARREL

We are pleased to be the preferred provider of tuxedos for the HSOG’s Debutante Ball.

Presenters and Escorts will be outfitted with tail coats. The $190 rental includes coat, pants, white pique shirt, white pique tie, jewelry, suspenders and white vest. We also include suspenders for all presenter rentals. Black patent shoes may be rented for $33. Additionally these men will be provided with white gloves ($16) and a pocket square ($10) which are theirs to keep. We take the job of tux fitting seriously and will do our best to make sure your gentlemen look and feel great. Prices at other shops range from $210-$299.

Guests and Marshalls will be placed in either The Berkley Tux or the Classic Black Notch Tux. The Berkley price is $190 and includes coat, jacket, shirt, tie, pants, cumberbund and jewelry. Shoes are available for rent for $33. The Classic Black Notch tux with a traditional loose fit rents for $175.

Because of our small staff size, we require appointments for fittings. You may make an appointment by registering on Sign Up Genius beginning May 15, 2026. We will hold several Fit Sessions this summer, if one of these dates does not work, please email Melanie for more information. Summer Tux Fit Sessions will be June 13, July 10, 12, 23, August 7, Sept 14 and 19. Fathers, presenters and guests that are local can wait until September to be measured. You may find the available slots by entering my email in the “find a sign up” tab on Sign Up Genius. If your gentleman’s schedule doesn’t work with these planned sessions, please reach out via email and I’ll schedule something for him separately.

The tuxes will arrive via private carrier a week before the Deb Ball and I make every effort to get the Fathers in first. Returns are the following Sunday and Monday.

Happy Deb Season!

Melanie Hammer Murray

Melanie@bulletandbarrel.com

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild

2026 Symphony Ball

Debutante Tables

Dear Debutante Mothers,

It is our pleasure to work with you to ensure that your daughter’s debut is a very special event for your family and everyone attending the Symphony Ball. We will work to seat your family and close friends at your daughter’s table(s) the evening of the Ball. Please make a copy of everything you send to us for your records.

The requirements for inviting guests are:

• The tables seat 8 to 10.
• The Debutante fee covers 4 Ball admissions: namely, the Debutante, her escort, and two other guests, usually her parents.
• All invited guests must be sponsored by a Debutante or a Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild member.
• No complimentary invitations will be issued, and invitations are non-transferable.
• All guests should be notified of being asked to sit at a Debutante table prior to being listed on these forms.
• Please note, all tables must have at least one guest 21 years of age or older.
• Sponsoring your tables for $425 will help your tables be close together.
• Additional requirements are listed on the individual guest information forms.

We want a truly memorable evening for you, your daughter, your family and friends. Please note: A Deb Table Workbook link will be sent on April 14^th for you to start working on inputting all guests. The Deb Table Workbook should be completed by Friday, May 29th. Turn-In (payment and address review) will take place at the home of Samantha Bentley, 300 Williams Avenue, Huntsville, Alabama on Thursday, June 11. You will select a time for your turn-in via the Sign-Up Genius link that will be emailed to you.

We look forward to working with you for an unforgettable evening.

Sincerely,

Debutante Tables Committee

Keyke Reed—256.509.5288 or Keyke_reed@yahoo.com

Courtney Allen – 256.682.9879 or courtneypenneyallen@gmail.com

Whitney Heaps – 256.527.1949 or whitney.heaps@gmail.com - Deb Surnames A-He

Andrea Jones – 256-658-3174 or andreanjones@comcast.net - Deb Surnames Ho-M

Dana Lusk – 256.479.2485 or danalusk@bellsouth.net Deb Surnames N-W

Symphony Ball Addressing Guidelines

Provide the FULL FORMAL NAME for each guest. This includes MIDDLE names. Below are some typical examples:

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Edmond Smith, junior (use a comma)

* Please Note: When entering guests on the online form, the first guest should be Mr. Donald Edmond Smith, junior and the second guest should be Mrs. Donald Edmond Smith, junior. Do not enter Mrs. Jane Anne Smith.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Edmond Smith IV (do not use a comma)

Doctor Jane Ann Smith and Mr. Donald Edmond Smith, junior

The Doctors Smith or Doctor Jane Ann Smith and Doctor Donald Edmond Smith (married)

The Reverend and Mrs. Donald Edmond Smith

The Honorable and Mrs. Donald Edmond Smith

The Honorable Jane Ann Smith and Mr. Donald Edmond Smith

Lt. Colonel Donald Edmond Smith, United States Army, Retired (retired is used only with military branch)

Ms. Susan Jane Pritchett
Mr. Troy Mark Clayton (unmarried couple living together) (don’t use “and”)

Ms. Susan Jane Pritchett and Mr. Troy Mark Clayton (married couple using different surnames)

Ms. Christine Susan Pritchett and Ms. Kimberly Dawn Pritchett (two people of the same sex, married)

No abbreviations except for Mr., Mrs., or Lt. combined with Colonel

Write out Street, Avenue, Post Office Box, Rural Route, Apartment, Suite, etc.

Spell out numbers (one-ten) that are part of a street name (not for apt) and directions.
Spell out the state, such as Alabama.

First Avenue Northwest Tenth Street South Ten First Avenue, Apartment

For an older single lady use Ms., for a younger lady such as debs, use Miss. A divorced lady may be addressed as Mrs. Smith Bullock (Smith being her maiden name) (HSOG preferred) or Mrs. Ann Smith Bullock or Ms. Ann Smith Bullock (at her request).

Table Assignments Form

Download Printable Form (PDF)

Family Photography Sessions

Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17

Home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Edward Crosby, junior

We hope your Symphony Ball is very special and memorable. The official Ball photographer, Kristi Waldrup McHugh with KWaldrup Studio & Design, and her assistants will photograph debutantes and their families on Friday, October 16^th and Saturday, October 17^th at the home of

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Edward Crosby, junior (Leslie)

603 Adams Street

Huntsville, Alabama 35801

Photography Committee:

Susi Mann, Chair susimann@comcast.net 256-658-3767

Laura Hash lauraleehash@gmail.com 256-509-7836

Patti Thornton  pattibthornton@gmail.com 256-509-1929

Kathy Williford kdwilliford59@gmail.com256-508-7331

Expectations for Family Photographs:

• It is imperative to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. If you are late,

your appointment will still end at the scheduled time.

• The participants in this session should be only immediate family members.

Other family members, friends, and escorts can be photographed the

night of the ball during those scheduled sessions

• No changing rooms will be available, so arrive fully dressed in ball attire.

• Debutantes and fathers are required to bring their white gloves to the photo

shoot. It is suggested that you try them on well before you come to your

photo session.

• The sessions are 30 minutes, with 15 minutes outside and 15 minutes inside

• A bouquet will be provided for the debutantes and a boutonniere for the fathers.

Please do not leave the Crosby home with the bouquet or boutonniere

• In case of rain, you are still expected to arrive in ball attire at your scheduled time.

• If you are not planning to come to your photography session, please let one of the

photography committee members know as soon as possible.

• Any questions or concerns about photography should be directedto the photography

committee only. Please do not contact the photographer.

• An11x14 enlargement of your choice will be a gift from theSymphony Guild.

Photography After Presentation

on

The Night of the Symphony Ball

Following the presentation, the photographers will begin photographing the first dance and will take candid shots during dinner.

• The photographers will begin the sessions with each Debutante and her guests at
• 9:10 pm.

• You will receive a reminder of the schedule before the Ball, and a tent card will be placed on the Debutante’s primary table with the appointment time and camera.

• The photographers move very quickly, so if your group is not there and ready at your appointed time, they will have to move to the next group.

• This is your opportunity to have photographs taken with special guests, friends and family who were not present at the formal family photo sessions.

• If you do not want your family to participate in these sessions, please let a member of the photography committee know as soon as possible.

Please note. Only KWaldrup Studio and Design, the official photographer approved by the Ball committee, will be allowed to take photographs in the vignettes. No videos or personal camera photographs will be allowed in the group photography settings