Shelby About Town
Houston Symphony's million dollar gala rocks The Corinthian — ear plugs included
Houston Sympony ball chair David Wuthrich had planned all along to don one of the Mozartian wigs that were available around The Corinthian Friday night, he just wasn't sure at what point during the musically-annotated evening. But when the money rolling in soared past the $1 million milestone, on went the white curly locks as David did something of a victory walk around the ballroom.
Joining him in the enthusiasm and in earning credit for the successful black-tie event that was only five months in the planning were his wife Tara Wuthrich, who shared duties as chair; co-chairs Audrey and Brandon Cochran and Alexandra and David Pruner and honorary chairs Mariglyn and Stephen Glenn.
Of course, they enjoyed a bit of help from the gala honorees — Denise Bush Bahr and Philip Bahr, Beth Madison, Julia Anderson Frankel and BBVA Compass.
All hell broke loose musically with the arrival of electric violinist Mark Wood. Some symphony patrons loved it. Others not so much.
From the beginning, the Wuthriches had planned on shaking up the Symphony Ball paradigm injecting a new vigor to the evening that would forever change any notion of stodginess.
With "Rock Me Amadeus" as the theme, they commenced with the move from a hotel ballroom to the luxe environs of The Corinthian where Darryl Murchison imported a dazzling cache of crystal chandeliers, wall sconces and centerpieces. Think Salzburg. Mozart would have approved.
It was, however, only a brief nod to the music master, with a set of symphony strings performing Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, before all hell broke loose musically with the arrival of electric violinist Mark Wood. Some symphony patrons loved it. Others not so much. But the Wuthriches were prepared for all responses, providing each guest with a set of ear plugs should the contemporary notes be too challenging. In the end, it was the dynamite Marianne Bennett Orchestra of New York that provided the dance tunes which brought everyone back to a musical center.
Glam notes to the evening were provided maestro Hans Graf, symhony CEO Mark Hanson and wife Christina, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Tricia Dewhurst, Linda and Gene Dewhurst, Nancy and Bob Peiser, Lavonne Cox and Denis DeBakey, Judy and Bill Maynard, Margaret Williams and Jim Daniel, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Dancie and Jim Ware, Vanessa and Perry Sendukas and so many more.