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August 22, 2025
BENTON HARBOR, MI – This spring the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra announced the organization would celebrate its 75th anniversary in the 2025-2026 season. To honor the occasion and continue to fundraise toward a sustainable symphony, the SMSO will host a Regency Ball on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
The ball will be held at the Aria at The Whitcomb in downtown St. Joseph, MI and will begin with cocktail hour at 5:00pm for VIPs, followed by general admission at 6:00pm. Guests are encouraged to come in costume, information about the time period and sources for attire can be found on the event’s website— smso.org, along with VIPs, debutantes, and general admission tickets.
The SMSO is pulling inspiration from Bridgerton for its 75th Diamond Anniversary and fundraising gala theme. For those unfamiliar, this is Shondaland’s first scripted show for Netflix. "It follows the close-knit siblings of the noble and influential Bridgerton family as they navigate the highly competitive social season; where young marriageable nobility and gentry are introduced into society. It is an alternative London Regency era history in which King George III established racial equality and granted many people of African descent aristocratic titles in honor of the African heritage of his wife, Queen Charlotte." The show incorporates classical style reinterpretations of today’s popular pop songs.
The SMSO has partnered with local legend and Benton Harbor Commissioner, Mamie Yarbrough to be the evening's queen, joyfully embodying both the show’s alternative history and the symphony’s mission of Transforming ALL Lives Through Music.
Guests are in for a magical evening of signature cocktails in the adjacent garden, a silhouettist creating portraits, and it wouldn't be an evening in the "TON" without a mysterious gossip columnist publishing an issue or two during the affair.With a nod to the theme, the SMSO’s Queen will select a “diamond” (or favored debutante) of the season from a small group of VIP guests, who will then open the dancing for the evening following a live auction.
Last fall, the SMSO issued a call seeking immediate financial assistance from the community to “Save the Symphony” through a $150,000 match challenge. Thanks to the community's generous support, the campaign successfully exceeded the necessary funds to prepare for the upcoming 75th season. As we strive to rebuild relationships and become more sustainable, we invite you to join us once again on October 11th, or at any of this season's upcoming shows. More information can be found on their website at https://smso.org/sos/.
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