Dresses, cowboy boots, a crammed venue and music blasting from the speakers. The Junior Symphony Ball, also known as JSB, is an annual dance hosted by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. It invites 10th through 12th graders from high schools across Dallas to gather for a night together. While it may seem like another dance for most students, the event serves a larger purpose in the Dallas community.
Tiffany Rubi ‘88, who is Hockaday’s Activities and Events Coordinator, serves as the treasurer for the JSB board.
“The money stays within the symphony,” Rubi said. “It supports a year-round young musicians’ program that targets first through eighth grade students. They provide instruments and lessons free of charge to help introduce them to the arts, specifically music.”
According to KERA’s report on the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Young Musicians Program, the program teaches around 300 students at five different southern Dallas locations, including Ebby Halliday Elementary, Maria Moreno Elementary, Ascher Silberstein Elementary, Trinity Basin Prep Ledbetter Campus and Owenwood Farm & Neighborhood Space. With such a wide array of locations and students, this program requires a substantial amount of funding.
“JSB is the second top fundraiser for the symphony,” Rubi said. “Around four years ago, it brought in over $400,000. We get donations and sponsorships [from] underwriters and companies as well. [The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League] also does a big presentation ball in February, and they honor around 40 college sophomores. That raises a bit more money than JSB.”
With such grand amounts of support, proper management of funds and tasks is divided between multiple groups to ensure the program and dance run smoothly.
“There are 10 co-chairs, the students and their moms that help support and drive,” Rubi said. “Everybody [operates] in different levels. The steering committee gets involved by gathering snack bags and school supplies for the kids in the Young Musicians program.”
The steering committee consists of students grades 10 through 12 across multiple schools. Caroline Fleiss is Hockaday’s sophomore representative in the steering committee.
“Although I think the dance will be fun, helping kids who want to play music is just as, if not more, fulfilling,” Fleiss said.
Sophomore Georgia Baker is another member of the steering committee who believes in the importance of self-expression.
“I think that instruments are important for people to be able to express themselves,” Baker said. “I really think that the community will be better because they will be able to discover a new hobby, a love for music or have the opportunity to pursue a career in music.”
Ultimately, JSB, although it is only part of the funding for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, still aids in supporting young musicians.
“Instruments are expensive,” Rubi said. “Being able to provide free lessons and instruments to kids in the Dallas community who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity is beautiful.”
