Elegant gowns, white ties and Kix Brooks: The Nashville Symphony Ball delights, dazzles
The weather outside was frightful, but the ball was just delightful!
Lightning flashed, thunder rumbled and rain fell on Dec. 9, spawning deadly tornadoes north of Nashville, but it didn't deter the annual Symphony Ball fundraiser at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center downtown.
As guests arrived, event co chairs Kayla Counts and Suann Davis welcomed them into the main lobby. The women were dressed in elegant formal gowns, and the men donned white ties as they enjoyed champagne, cocktails and mocktails to begin the evening.
Guests were ushered into the Laura Turner Concert Hall for dinner and dancing.
Event planner Bruce Pittman strove for a classic atmosphere with some sizzle. Some tables were draped in gold-sequined cloths; others in red velvet or red satin. The Tulip Tree created centerpieces with multi-tiered gold candelabras topped with dozens of red flowers. Candlelight flickered throughout the room, including the area where the VIP Late Party guests enjoyed dessert in the Founders Circle. They later joined the festivities after the dinner portion of the evening.
The meal was catered by Kristen Winston Catering. The starter was a winter salad topped with a sherry maple vinaigrette followed by an entrée of filet of beef bourguignon with a caramelized onion soufflé potato and haricots verts. For dessert, guests enjoyed Baked Alaska with peppermint ice cream finished with a chocolate brandy sauce.
After a performance by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, which performed two songs —Dr. Carl Awh — a good friend of Kix Brooks' and a supporter of the Nashville Symphony — introduced Brooks and presented him with the 2023 Harmony Award.
The multi-award winning country artist, who also performed a couple of songs, is known for his successful career as part of Brooks & Dunn, a solo artist, radio show host and for his philanthropy efforts.
“Being honored with this award truly means the world to me,” Brooks said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world, but Nashville, Music City, is home, so, to be recognized by this community always means a little extra. I want to give a special ‘thank you’ to all the people and organizations like the Nashville Symphony that I’ve crossed paths with over the years who have helped make Nashville a one-of-a-kind place to live.”
As guests departed Symphony Hall, after dancing to the sounds of Life of The Party, they left knowing they had contributed towards continuing the legacy of Nashville’s multi -Grammy award-winning Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
Since the Symphony Ball was first held 39 years ago, the white-tie gala has raised more than $12 million for education and community initiatives, according to Davis, who spoke with Nashville Lifestyles in an earlier interview.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dinner, dancing and Kix Brooks highlights at Nashville Symphony Ball
