Where Fashion Meets Philanthropy: 2025 Conversations with an ICON

The Houston Symphony League proudly hosted its 5th Annual Conversations with an ICON Luncheon on Wednesday, March 26, at the Houston Country Club. This year’s event, honored the renowned Saks Fifth Avenue, a valued partner and long-time supporter of the Houston Symphony League, reminiscent of the wildly successful annual Maestro Luncheon & Fashion Show of the 90’s.  

The event featured Heidi Turney, Vice President and General Manager of Saks Fifth Avenue, Houston. Guests enjoyed an engaging conversation between Ms. Turney and acclaimed journalist Shelby Hodge, who was also honored as the League’s Icon in 2023. The conversation was followed by an impressive Spring fashion show, orchestrated by expert stylist, Jeanne Ruberti for Saks Fifth Avenue, which beautifully showcased the elegance and creativity that both institutions are known for. 

Co-chairs and long-time supporters of the Houston Symphony, Brigitte Kalai and Farida Abjani, delivered a heartfelt tribute to community leadership, creativity, and volunteerism as they recognized three exemplary Houstonians: 

  • Hallie Vanderhider & Bobby DeesCommunity Honorees, recognized for their longstanding commitment to education, the arts, and philanthropy across numerous organizations.  
  • Beth WolffHouston Symphony League Honoree, celebrated for her groundbreaking leadership of Houston real estate and her unwavering support of the League and many charitable and civic initiatives. 

League President Heidi Rockecharlie recognized the extraordinary efforts of the League’s many volunteers, and shared highlights of their remarkable accomplishments this year, including record membership growth, the implementation of a cost-cutting event sponsorship program, enriching the Icon fundraising concept, and ongoing support for the Houston Symphony’s education and outreach initiatives, which are projected to reach more than 350,000 individuals this season—over 130,000 of whom are children. She also recognized Honorary Committee Chair, Lesha Elsenbrook for her long-standing dedication to the League. 

Proceeds from the luncheon directly benefit the Houston Symphony’s industry-leading Education and Community Engagement programs, including in-school residencies, the Music and Wellness initiative, the In Harmony program, and the Harry and Cora Sue Mach Student Concert Series. 

Today was a celebration of those who give back,” said President Rockecharlie. “We are deeply grateful for everyone who made this day possible and for all who continue to support our world-class, Grammy Award-winning Symphony Orchestra. Together, we are making music—and a difference. 

Thank you to PaperCity, The Social Book, CultureMap and The Buzz Magazines for the coverage of this event. 

Excerpt from The Buzz Magazines 

Good tempo. The major keys were Brigitte Kalai and Farida Abjani, who chaired the Fifth Annual Conversations with an ICON Luncheon at Houston Country Club benefiting the Houston Symphony League. With rhythm and harmony, president Heidi Rockecharlieconducted a score of the League’s accomplishments and outreach initiatives, with projections to reach more than 350,000 individuals this season, over 130,000 of whom are children. Guests enjoyed an engaging repertoire between ICON honoree Heidi Turney (VP and GM of longtime supporter Saks Fifth Avenue) and journalist Shelby Hodge, who were followed by models in spring clothes from Saks Fifth Avenue. Three exemplary Houstonians Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees, and Beth Wolff were honored for their rhapsody of unwavering support.

The 2025 Alyce Tostengard Crystal Cello

Jeff Aron

This Alyce Tostengard Crystal Cello Award was awarded at the Spring Membership Tea to 12-year Volunteer Houston Symphony League member, Jeffery Aron!

Jeff has become a fixture at Student and Family Concerts for the past 12 years as he was transitioning into his second retirement from a career in Electrical Engineering.  A PhD, Jeff had an illustrious career working for Warner Communications, Norden and finally for Schlumberger, which afforded his family the joy of living in Paris.  After an early retirement, he couldn’t sit still and went to work for Tuboscope and even after his second retirement he went into consulting using his in-depth knowledge of acoustics, which certainly comes in handy as a patron of the Houston Symphony.

After his second retirement, his wife, Rita, a long time Houston Symphony League volunteer told him about the acute need for more volunteers for Student Concerts and he rapidly stepped up to the challenge and even telling his consulting clients he would be late because he “was needed at that days Student Concerts”.

A fixture on the Texas Street side of Jones Hall, he knows that the more help you have in shepherding the kids into Jones Hall the smoother the day goes for everyone.  He just enjoys the students and the Texas side of the street; so, he probably won’t quit volunteering any time soon.

Congratulations and we are so proud of Jeff and all he does for the Houston Symphony League.

Mary M. Fusillo-2024 Crystal Cello Award Winner

 

 

 

 

Conversations with an Icon: A Symphony of Fashion, Community, and Impact

Houston’s cultural landscape is rich with events that blend elegance, philanthropy, and community engagement—but few do so as seamlessly as the Houston Symphony League’s Conversations with an Icon featuring Saks Fifth Avenue. This highly anticipated luncheon and fashion show is more than just a glamorous gathering; it serves as a vital bridge, connecting the arts to the community while raising funds that make a real difference.

Expanding Access to the Arts

Attending a world-class symphony performance is an experience like no other. Yet, for many in Houston, access to live orchestral music remains out of reach. The Houston Symphony League is dedicated to changing that. Funds raised from this event help bring the magic of live classical music to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring that the power of music transcends barriers and reaches a broader, more diverse audience.

Enhancing Music Education

Music has the power to inspire, and early exposure can shape a child’s lifelong appreciation for the arts. The League channels part of its funding into educational programs that introduce students—including those from underprivileged communities—to the world of music. Through these programs, young minds are exposed to popular and classical compositions, world-renowned conductors, and historical composers, nurturing the next generation of music lovers and performers.

The Healing Power of Music

Music does more than entertain—it heals. Through its Music Therapy and Outreach Program, the Houston Symphony League supports initiatives that bring live classical performances to hospitals, nursing homes, and home-bound patients. The therapeutic benefits of music have been well-documented, and these live performances by Houston Symphony Orchestra members provide comfort, relaxation, and even cognitive benefits to those in need.

More Than a Fashion Show—A Community Investment

When you attend Conversations with an Icon, you are not just supporting the arts—you are investing in education, inclusion, and well-being. Your participation helps create meaningful, lasting change in Houston’s cultural and social fabric.

Join us on March 26, 2025, at Houston Country Club for Conversations with an ICON, the intersection of fashion and philanthropy. Most importantly, help ensure that the beauty of music remains accessible to all.

Awards Announced for LAO and TASO

Big Announcement! The Houston Symphony League won a Gold Award of Excellence from the League of American Orchestras’ Volunteer Council and three Recognized Project Awards from the Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras (TASO).

The Houston Symphony League won a Gold Award of Excellence from the League of American Orchestras (LAO) Volunteer Council for its project Engaging Membership for Retention. This project highlights what the Membership Committee did to grow our League membership through retention efforts. The lead for the project was Leslie Nossaman. The Volunteer Council’s Gold Awards of Excellence honor best-in-class programs and initiatives that have made a significant impact on their orchestras. Only seven Gold Awards were given this year. 

The project will be presented to symphony volunteers at the upcoming LAO Conference in Salt Lake City on June 11-13, 2025. Leslie Nossaman will make the presentation and lead the discussion at the conference. LAO is a North American organization whose membership encompasses nearly 800-member symphony, chamber, youth, and collegiate orchestras in all 50 US states and Canada.

The Engaging Membership for Retention project also won a Recognized Project Award from TASO. In addition, two other projects – Shop, Sip, Stroll, and Dine for a Cause, a project chaired by Deborah Laws and Raquel Lewis, and Getting Them in the Door, submitted by Betty Tutor and Fran Peterson on behalf of the League’s Symphonic Social Connections – were also awarded Recognized Project Awards. These three projects will be presented at the annual TASO Conference in Waco on March 21-22. TASO’s membership includes 16 Texas Symphony Leagues.

Houston Symphony League Book Club History and Invitation

The Houston Symphony League (HSL) Book Club provides a dedicated timeframe to reflect, share, explore, socialize, engage, and expand our knowledge regarding our common bond and love of music.  The HSL Book Club, founded in 2013 during the HSL President tenure of Kelli Cohen Fein, recaptured in 2015 during the HSL President tenure of Betty Tutor, and steadfastly pursued by all subsequent HSL Presidents, encourages reading as a path to a deeper understanding of music in general . More specifically, the HSL Book Club provides a deeper understanding of the upcoming Houston Symphony symphonic music repertoire, a more robust and cohesive HSL community, and more integral involvement of the individual in the collective consciousness of both HSL and HS missions.  The HSL Book Club offers a delightful opportunity to embrace and understand music and literature in novel ways.

Ginny Garrett, the esteemed HSL Historian for many years, embodied the HSL Book Club’s consummate facilitator from 2013 through 2022.  She demonstrated an impressive breadth of knowledge and an entertaining manner in imparting information, stimulating thought and conversation that broadened everyone’s depth of understanding of the music, the composer, and the text at hand.  All attendees engaged in lively conversation, offering observant and thought-provoking insights. Likewise, the HSL Book Club setting at the homes of Diane Gendel and Kelli Cohen Fein was well-attended, providing convivial, illuminating discussion, social engagement, and always delectable refreshments for each morning session.  Further enriching the HSL Book Club’s meaningful impact, beginning in 2023, the illustrious and learned Robert Chanon assumed the role of a vibrant facilitator, and Betty Tutor joined Kelli Cohen Fein and Diane Gendel as a co-chair and hostess.

A few of the myriad highlights of the more than 10 years of HSL Book Club’s rich experiences  must be mentioned as we have been fortunate to have benefited from  so many talents:

Our guest facilitator, Lucy Lewis, presided with great aplomb as she presented Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan; Ann Thurmond graced us with her prodigious piano performance at one book club session; Harry Gendel was infinitely generous to provide Zoom availability during the pandemic; Ginny Garrett taught all the Book Club attendees to conduct at another memorable session and Robert Chanon captivated with his presentation on the genius of Leonard Bernstein.  

The HSL Book Club has proven itself over the last 11 years to be a successful educational and social activity for our members.  Our facilitator studies the HS season of slated works each year to find inspiration for pertinent, timely, and relevant books.  The opportunity to learn more about featured composers is a powerful draw for HSL members. We recognize that our learning curves remain vertical despite years of exposure to these great composers and their works.   The Book Club represents an inspirational and meaningful vehicle for our individual and collective music awareness. We meet twice a year – Spring and Fall from 10-11:30 am at the home of one of the co-chairs.  The time together provides a “measure” of education, friendship, and connection to music to the Houston Symphony and the Houston Symphony League members.

An impressive list of some of the formidable books the HSL Book Club has embraced through the years, beginning in 2013 to the present :

Why Mahler? How One Man and Ten Symphonies Changed Our World – Norman Lebrecht

Mahler – A Life by Johnathan Carr.

Changing Lives: Gustavo Dudamel, El Sistema and the Transformative Power of Music – Tricia Tunstall

Beethoven  – Maynard Solomon

New Worlds of Dvorak-Searching in America for the Composer’s Inner Life  – Michael B. Beckerman

Hallelujah Junction – Composing an American Life by John Adams.    

Sergei Rachmaninoff – A Lifetime in Music — Sergei Bertensson and Jay Leyda.  

The Noise of Time – Julian Barnes

Dinner With Lenny – Jonathan Cottrell

George Gershwin: An Intimate Portrait– Walter Rimler. 

Sounds and Sweet Airs:  The Forgotten Women of Classical Music – Anna Beer. 

Schumann, the Face and the Masks – Judith Chernaik

At the Piano with Robert and Clara Schumann, edited by Maurice Hinson –Recommended by Darlene Clark – re sightreading practice

The Silent Musician-Why the Conductor Matters – Mark Wugglesworth

The Lives of Isaac Stern by David Schoenbaum.

Mozart’s Women by Jane Glover

The Infinite Variety of Music – Leonard Bernstein

Tchaikovsky’s Empire – A New Life of Russia’s Greatest Composer –  Simon Morrison.

Every Valley – Charles King

Join us in the learning and the friendship in pursuit of our common bond and passion for music !!!

“…For music consists of harmony, and harmony becomes far more complete if all the voices collaborate to form it.” ~Johann Sebastian Bach

The Houston Symphony League’s Fall Luncheon & Fashion Show was a Resounding Success

The Houston Symphony League held its annual Fall Membership Luncheon & Fashion Show on September 18, 2024, in the newly redecorated ballroom at The Junior League of Houston. The event attracted a vibrant crowd and offered an afternoon filled with elegance, entertainment, and a deep sense of community spirit.

The event was co-chaired by Cynthia Wolff and Paige Cawthon, whose dedication and vision were instrumental in making the luncheon a success. They highlighted the sponsorship of the Symphony’s First Chair ViolinistSophia Silivos in a brief interview and violin performance showing the League’s unwavering commitment to inspiring a love of music and the arts throughout our community. Gorgeous professional models and a few key volunteers took the runway showcasingthe exclusive launch of designer Christy Lynn’s Fall line, which captivated attendees with its chic and innovative designs.
A standout moment of the luncheon was the address by League President Heidi Rockecharlie who introduced HS Society Board President, Barbara Burger and this year’s League board members, graciously recognizing each for their commitment to the Symphony in an unprecedented move to make this year more about recognition and appreciation of League volunteers. 
 
Rockecharlie also unveiled innovative strategies to efficiently increase fundraising and reduce costs for greater success, including offering new membership level benefits like Baccarat crystal at the $2,000 level, generously donated by LeaguePresident-Elect, Leslie Nossaman.
 
Only three months into the season, and we already have enough sponsorships to reduce costs by nearly 50% for some events meaning more funds can be allocated directly to The Houston Symphony from the League!” Rockecharlie emphasized. We are incredibly thankful to everyone who has participated, especially Christy Lynn, for underwriting the costs associated with her fashion show, and donating a percentage of sales to the League, making this event even more special.
 
In the crowd: Saks Fifth Avenue General Manager Heidi TurneyBeth Wolff, Lesha Elsenbrook, Betty Tutor, Elsie Eckert, Saula Valente, Nancy Willerson, Helen Shaffer, Sharon Brier, Kirk Kveton, Daniel Irion, Karen Payne,Mary Sage, Seema Sharma, Teresa Cox-Reading, Alecia Lawyer, Diane Gendel, Alex Blair, Christina Sacco, Hasina Stark, Libi Lebel, Jerre Parsons Williams, Nick Rockecharlie, Alicia Jansen, Anna Dean, Astrid Van Dyke, Deborah Laws, Sandra Porter, Kim Padgett, Helen Balensiefen Bow, Kirin Wells, Harriet Gertner, Amy Glenn Becker
League models: Cheryl ByingtonTracie Welch-BrentonRaquel Lewis, and Blanca Jolly.