John Kenneth Adams performed a long–awaited encore for members of the Symphony League.

John Kenneth Adams returned after 40 years to perform for the Symphony League’s 40th anniversary. The Symphony League was one of his first public performances after coming to Columbia. He was a new professor in the USC School of Music.

The anniversary luncheon of the Symphony League was held at Forest Lake Country Club. For his encore at the recent celebration, Adams played Poulene’s Suite Francaise and compositions by Debussy and Ravel.

Adams was introduced by Anne Robinson, first vice president of the league, after Shirley Henderson, president, welcomed current and former members. Liz Wheeler, immediate past president, recognized charter members and past presidents.

Marjorie Stands was elected first President of the Women’s Symphony Association. Faye Jeffcoat demonstrated a variety of ways members could wear the commemorative turquoise silk scarf designed by the luncheon committee.

The Symphony League began in 1965 to promote and increase musical knowledge and appreciation of the performing arts in the Midlands and to support the SC Philharmonic. According to the league’s history, the late Dr. Robert Ochs moved at a board meeting of the Orchestra’s Association that President Frank Sloan appoint women who were members of that board as a planning committee to organize such a women’s group.

Symphony director Nicholas Smith and Jackie McNeill, chair of the Arthur Fraser Competition Committee. Those serving on that committee at the time were Mrs. Alva Lumpkin, Mrs. Norman Arnold, Mrs. Cyril Busbee, Mrs. Ben Stands, and Mrs. R.E.L. Freeman.

Lumpkin was appointed first chair of that planning committee and has been credited with much of the early organizational work. Following a membership coffee hosted by SC’s First Lady, Mrs. Robert E. McNair, Marjorie Stands became the league’s first elected president. She had already been serving as temporary chair.

Over the past 40 years the league has engaged in fundraising projects to support the symphony and to enhance the quality of life in Columbia. From polo matches to balls, community performances to dinners and fashion shows, the symphony’s support arm has been known by several names over its decades of service

The Symphony League was initially called the Women’s Symphony Association, then the Women’s Symphony Association of the Columbia Philharmonic Orchestra. The symphony’s staunchest advocates simplified its name in 1993 when Nicholas Smith was welcomed as new music director of the SC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Throughout its anniversary year, the league will be hosting a variety of fundraising events called First Chair Parties. Coming up November 10 is An Evening in Eden at the home of Anastasia and Marvin Chernoff.