While their parents were warming up their white tails for the annual Dallas Symphony League Orchestra (DSOL) Presentation Ball on Saturday, February 10, the younger crowd was in high cotton for the 2024 Junior Symphony Ball at Gilley’s Dallas.
With more than a thousand in attendance, the lickety-split, sold-out party heartiers, thanks to Co-Chairs Cara Lichty, James Sutherland, Kate Fagan, Cash Nix, Ela Austin, Ashton Krug, Adelaide Boisture, Baker Trent and Caroline Woram backed by their moms Suzanne Austin, Jenny Lichty, Ashley Boisture, Jonika Nix, Dana Woram, Holly Krug, Lauren Sutherland, Aimee Fagan and Katy Trent, held a fun and fundraising gangbuster that is the DSO’s “longest running fundraiser of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, supporting DSO outreach programs such as the Young Strings program and the Young Musicians program.” Here’s a report from the field:
Tickets for the 66th annual Junior Symphony Ball (JSB) “Purpose with a Party” fundraiser sold out within an hour of their release with hundreds more on the wait list. The event on Saturday, January 27, at the iconic Gilley’s Dallas witnessed a historic milestone with an unprecedented attendance of over 2,700 high school students from 35 schools. This outstanding turnout set a new record as the largest in the event’s history. The Steering Committee, comprising more than 800 students, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the evening’s success.
The JSB brought together high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors across the Metroplex to celebrate with an evening filled with energetic live music, dynamic dancing, professionally staffed gaming tables, raffles, prizes and refreshments.
“What makes JSB so special is this is the only party in town that every high school Sophomore through Senior is invited to attend,” said JSB 2024 Co-Chair Suzanne Austin. “These precious students are sometimes friends through social media, sports or school activities but this is the only time they can all come and spend an organized fun evening together. This unique opportunity for our kiddos combined with raising money for an incredibly worthy cause is the right recipe for a spectacular evening! My co-chairs and I are so appreciative of the overwhelming support from the parents, students, community businesses and underwriters that made this event so incredibly successful.”
The dress code called for a Texas Tuxedo for the gentlemen and cocktail dresses paired with boots for the ladies. The majority of girls opted for short, black dresses, creating a striking sea of black enlivened by splashes of bright colors.
The evening kicked off with DJSC, the renowned DJ exclusive to The Dallas Cowboys for the past 15 years. Also known as 13LACKBEARD, DJSC has shared the stage with notable artists like Snoop Dog, Chris Stapleton and Taylor Swift. Possessing a larger-than-life persona, DJSC seamlessly commanded the crowd, drawing everyone to the dance floor. The music hit every major genre-and the energy level peaked in the jam-packed venue.
JSB headliner Chris Ferrara and The Common Good took the stage. They are a top-notch act in Nashville, headlining at Nashville Barstool nearly every Friday and Saturday night. His blend of city-boy swagger and country-boy soul was exactly what these high school students needed for a lively night of dancing.
The lineup of the 2024 Event Co-Chairs represents schools across Dallas Cara Lichty, Episcopal School of Dallas; James Sutherland, St. Mark’s School of Texas; Kate Fagan, The Hockaday School; Cash Nix, Highland Park High School; Ela Austin, Ursuline Academy; Ashton Krug, Jesuit College Prep of Dallas; Adelaide Boisture, Parish Episcopal School; Baker Trent, Bishop Lynch High School; and Caroline Woram, Highland Park High School.
Their supportive and proud moms are Suzanne Austin, Jenny Lichty, Ashley Boisture, Jonika Nix, Dana Woram, Holly Krug, Lauren Sutherland, Aimee Fagan and Katy Trent.
From start to finish, the committee undertook the task of organizing logistics, planning activities, and implementing crowd control measures to guarantee the enjoyment of the vast gathering. The check-in went smoothly handling the process efficiently for the hundreds of students that came through. It culminated in a high-energy and memorable extravaganza for the staggering number of high school students in attendance.
“This is an event that my friends and I look forward to all year, so when asked if I wanted to be a part of planning it and be a co-chair, I was definitely on board,” said JSB student Co-Chair Ela Austin. “My student co-chairs and I all do community service through our schools, but this was an opportunity for us to go beyond our schools and into the community and be a part of something bigger. This was something that was important to each one of us and was our way to help the Dallas Symphony and help the Youth Programs that JSB supports.”
Over 200 supportive parent volunteers helped to staff the evening including former JSB Ball Chair Mandy Click. April Willingham and Christie Cahoon were there for their high schoolers, but in the coming weeks, they will be attending another symphony event. They both have daughters making their debut at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s Presentation Ball on February 10.
Sponsors included Mr. Tuxedo, Jenny Watts Photography, Competitive Cameras, Sewell, Veritex Community Bank, Highland Park Village, The Sidley Austin Foundation and Stewart and Arango.
JSB is in its 66th year and is the longest running fundraiser of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League (DSOL), supporting DSO outreach programs such as the Young Strings program and the Young Musicians program. It was founded with the concept of “student-led, parent-guided” leadership. While JSB has evolved in scope and participation size, it has always been a high school student fundraising event for the DSO hosted by area 10th-12th grade high school students and their parents. JSB has grown over the decades from just a handful of participating schools to over 35 this year.
* Photo credit: Flash ** Photo credit: Deborah Brown
Nancy Labadie says
Great article. JSB is such a special project, and we are so proud of the future leaders and their support of the education and outreach programs of the Dallas Symphony !