On December 13, Nashville’s premier white-tie gala returns to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center for an elegant evening benefiting the Nashville Symphony. The 2025 Symphony Ball will be chaired by Grace Awh and Sarah Ingram, and this year’s Harmony Award will be presented to legendary producer, artist, and songwriter T Bone Burnett and The Grand Ole Opry, which celebrated its 100-year anniversary this year. Attendees can expect a sophisticated evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dancing to Craig Duncan Orchestra, and a lively Late Party to dance the night away. Funds raised support the Nashville Symphony’s enduring commitment to student programs, free performances, and education initiatives. We chatted with co-chairs Grace Awh and Sarah Ingram to learn more about this year’s gala and its lasting impact.
Nashville Lifestyles: What made you want to chair the Symphony Ball?
Grace Awh: The Symphony Ball has long been one of my favorite events to attend. It’s an elegant, memorable evening in a spectacular setting. I’m delighted to chair this special event with my friend, Sarah. The funds raised from the Symphony Ball support the Nashville Symphony’s mission to inspire and engage a diverse and growing community with extraordinary live orchestral music experiences. Sarah and I hope to make this year’s Symphony Ball one of the best ever!
Sarah Ingram: For several reasons, the first being because Grace asked me to join her as her co-chair and I thought it would be a ton of fun to work with her. Our extended family has a robust history with the Nashville Symphony. My mother-in-law, Martha Ingram, has been an unwavering champion and visionary for the Nashville Symphony for many years. My oldest son, Henry, a talented musician himself, is on the Board of Directors, along with my nephew, Hank. And, my younger son, Bronson, agreed to co-chair the 2025 Symphony Ball Late Party, following in the footsteps of my niece, Virginia, who co-chaired the event last year. I am honored to help, in a very small way, an organization that has been important to our family and to the Nashville community.
NL: How are the funds raised from this event utilized and how much has been raised over the years?
GA: Ever since the first Symphony Ball in 1984, chaired by Jeannie Hastings and Judy Simmons, funds from the event have been used to support symphony musicians who perform in local schools, parks, and community centers. Funds also support the Accelerando student musical mentoring program. The Symphony Ball has raised over $15 million for these efforts, and we hope to increase that amount significantly this year.
NL: Why is supporting the Symphony Ball important and why is the Nashville Symphony vital to our community?
GA: The Symphony brings cultural awareness, fosters community connection through a mutual appreciation of music, and enriches lives by exposure to diverse musical works and composers. A great city should have a great symphony!
NL: What inspires you to utilize your time, talents, and treasure for nonprofits?
SI: I enjoy getting to know like-minded people, challenging myself to learn new skills and to think outside of the box, and working with my fellow citizens to make our greater community just a little bit better.