Southwest Symphony Grand Ball, elegance makes a comeback; STGnews Videocast

Southwest Symphony Grand Ball, SunRiver Ballroom, St. George, Utah, Jan. 12, 2013 | Photo by Sarafina Amodt, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – The Southwest Symphony held a grand ball for members and local politicians at the SunRiver Ballroom  Saturday evening. The event was a fundraiser for the symphony and gave honor to the arts.

The Grand Ball atmosphere was highly sophisticated with a string quartet in the hallway, followed by a receiving line of mayors, former Governor Olene and Mr. Walker, Utah House of Representatives District 74 Rep. V. Lowry and Mrs. Snow and “Brigham Young.”  From the receiving line, one passed through elegant French doors, into a dining room graced with well tables dressed with fine center pieces and set for formal dining. Dining was arranged  to the east of the room leaving the gorgeous wood dance floor open.

Executive Chef Imi prepared 90 elegant dinners, each including lobster ravioli, roast pork tenderloin, chicken royale, as well as an organic salad and several different types of deserts. Refreshments and a full bar were available throughout the entire evening.

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Former Governor Olene Walker, Mayors Dan McArthur and Tom Hirschi, and others addressed the Southwest Symphony Grand Ball in the SunRiver Ballroom, St. George, Utah, Jan. 12, 2013 | Videocast by Sarafina Amodt, St. George News

Olene Walker, former governor of Utah, expressed her gratitude for fine music and then lead the “Grand Promenade” with Snow, mayors, symphony members and all guests. After everyone was seated again City of  St. George Mayor Dan McArthur explained how he came to love music and recited a characteristic poem. Following McArthur, Hurricane Mayor Tom Hirschi spoke, he said “I love beautiful music and I really appreciate this symphony.”

Snow educated the guests with statistics ranking Utah as the state with the highest amount of volunteer work, relating that to the volunteer-based Southwest Symphony Orchestra. He later continued, sharing his fondness for music and arts.

“The arts need to be recognized as part of the education…” Snow said.

After dancing a few numbers and then being richly entertained by a few performances from the Dixie State College Ballroom Dance Team, 14-year-old Aubree and Dr. Steve Oliverson performed several of their own original compositions in a father-daughter piano and violin duet. Aubree also performed Flight of The Bumble Bee at an amazing 13 notes per second.

After 20 years, the Southwest Symphony has brought back the Grand Ball in order to increase public awareness of the symphony and to benefit the youth development programs of the Southwest Symphony.

Guests and symphony members danced the night away.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.

Southwest Symphony Grand Ball, SunRiver Ballroom, St. George, Utah, Jan. 12, 2013 | Photo by Sarafina Amodt, St. George News

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4 Comments

  • Bob Derpaderskie January 14, 2013 at 12:41 am

    “Durr, how long did it take to make?” The guy is a professional chef. Please, ask some better questions.

  • D Rex January 14, 2013 at 8:00 am

    I thought the mayor disapproved of social dancing. Why else would he impose such a strict and ridiculous ordinance against dance venues in St George that everyone calls the “Footloose Ordinance”? Did he not long ago say dancing promoted drinking and promiscuity?

  • JJ Abernathy January 15, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    Thanks, Sara, for lovely coverage. Indeed, you captured the elegance of the evening with the beautiful music and wonderful guests.

  • Lawrence January 17, 2013 at 11:03 pm

    Another good job Sara. For being relatively a novice, in what seems to be burgeoning career in photo journalism, I think you’re doing great. I wonder if Mr. Derpaderskie is so well qualified, that he should be issuing such a stern critique of your work. I wouldn’t let comments such as his bother me one bit, if I were you. Know yourself and be pleased with your accomplishments. With the way you are already handling yourself, I’d say the sky’s the limit for you.

    The very best for your future, ………..larry felix

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