The Charity

  • The Quadrille Ball is part of the Germanistic Society of America, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
  • The charity awards scholarships to talented graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at U.S. and German universities. The stipends offer students the opportunity to study and conduct research across the Atlantic.
  • Scholarships recipients are chosen in cooperation with highly regarded organizations: the Fulbright program, the Institute of International Education (IIE), and Columbia University.
  • The Germanistic Society of America has supported close to 600 students.
  • The experience of living and studying in a foreign country has enriched those young people’s lives, and has helped bridge cultural differences and deepen international understanding.
  • All assets for the scholarship fund are raised through the annual Quadrille Ball.
  • The Quadrille is organized by volunteers to ensure that the tax-deductible contributions from sponsors, advertisers, donors, and ball guests benefit the stipend fund.

    History

    The first Quadrille Ball was held in January of 1961. The Honorary Chairmen were General and Mrs. Lucius Clay. General Clay had been the commanding general of the U.S. occupation in Germany and was held in high esteem by many Germans. The first Guest of Honor was H.H. Louis Ferdinand von Preußen, the last Kaiser’s grandson. A tradition was started to have prominent members of German government or German corporate leaders as Guests of Honor at the Quadrille Ball.

    Columbia University was the first beneficiary and the ball’s proceeds were funding American graduate students studying in Germany. In 1964, the International Institute of Education (IIE) became another beneficiary of the event, and the IIE has used the allocated proceeds to fund scholarships for German graduate students in the United States. In keeping with the theme of providing opportunities to young people, the organizers of the Ball thought it fitting to have as its signature event the performance of the Quadrille by young professionals as highlight of the evening.

    Charity balls organized by Americans of German ancestry highlighted the New York social season long before the first Quadrille Ball. During the second half of the 19th century the balls were held at the Academy of Music, and later at the Metropolitan Opera House. These events were known as the “German Charity Balls”. The first one was held at the Metropolitan Opera House on February 20, 1890. Later the balls moved to the Waldorf Astoria and subsequently to the Hotel Astor.

    There were no German Charity Balls after 1917 until the nineteen thirties. The “Snow Balls,” held for the benefit of Lenox Hill Hospital, the former German Hospital, were the events that restarted the German Charity Balls.

    In 1960, after another interruption during WWII, it was decided that the old tradition of a German Charity Ball would be resumed and Mrs. Ina Kesseler became the first chair.

    The Ball itself features dining and dancing in the main ballroom. The festivities continue in another adjacent setting within the same venue. This KüKa Club is named after the original KüKa, the Künstler Café (Artists’ Café), located in Berlin. While the original KüKa closed in 1930 its spirit lives on at the Quadrille Ball. The ball guests are invited to continue to dance and socialize until 4 am.

    Germanistic Society of America

    Founded in 1908 the Germanistic Society of America has promoted cultural and educational exchange between Germany and the United States. Since 1961 the Society’s Quadrille Fellowship program has supported close to 600 outstanding German and American graduate and undergraduate students in the pursuit of their studies at German or American universities. The funds are raised through the annual Quadrille Ball. The stipend recipients are chosen in cooperation with the Institute of International Education in New York, Fulbright, Germany, and Columbia University. The Germanistic Society of America is a 501(c)3 Non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law

    QUADRILLE DANCERS

    The Quadrille Ball offers a unique opportunity for young professionals in New York City to meet new friends, be at the center of one of the city’s most elegant events, and have a great time while supporting a charitable cause.

    REHEARSALS

    Each year, a new group of Quadrille dancers meets weekly to learn the dance routine to be performed at the ball. No prior dance experience is required. The rehearsals are held on the Upper East Side on Tuesday nights.

    AFTER-PARTIES

    Following each rehearsal there is an after-party held at the private homes of former Quadrille dancers or at a location near the rehearsal. The parties are a great way for participants to relax after the rehearsal and get to know each other better.

    THE BALL

    The day of the ball is all about presenting what the dancers have learned. The dancers, dressed in their tails and white dresses, greet guests and dignitaries, enjoy dinner, and then perform the Quadrille Dance. After their showcase, they mingle and dance the night away with the live bands until 4 am.

    FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

    The Quadrille Ball is a benefit for The Germanistic Society of America, a non-profit organization which awards scholarships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students. The price of the ticket to attend the ball is $900 per person; however, the dancers are entitled to a special discount price of $600.

    In addition to the ticket price, all ladies must pay $290 for dress rental and accessories (tiara, gloves, and dress hoops). This includes a $100 deposit refundable upon returning the dress in good condition.

    All gentlemen must rent a white-tie ensemble for approximately $240 unless already owned.

    REQUIREMENTS

    To be eligible to participate as a dancer at The Quadrille Ball you must be:

    • a young professional (at least 21 years old)
    • sociable
    • able to attend rehearsals on Tuesday nights starting at 7 PM
    • well groomed

    Note that even if you match all of the above requirements, you are not guaranteed to be selected to dance in the upcoming ball due to space limitations. The dance floor can only fit a limited number of dancers for the performance. The more rehearsals you attend and the better you are at the dance, the more chances you will have for being selected. If you are not selected to dance in the upcoming ball, you can still be selected to dance in the next year’s ball, provided you still satisfy the requirements above. In late October you will be invited to the Dancers’ Reception where you will be able to meet with the Ball Committee members, other prospective dancers, see the live demonstration of the dance, and enjoy some refreshments.

    HOW TO APPLY

    To apply to become a dancer at the upcoming Quadrille Ball, you must fill out the on-line application. If you were referred to the ball by a prior dancer or other Quadrille affiliated person, please make sure you specify their name in the application. Otherwise please specify how you found out about the ball.

    1) Information About Being A Quadrille Dancer:
    2) Dancer Application Form:
    By filling out the Dancer Application form, prospective dancers will receive important updates about the coming season. There is no commitment required by filling out the form.
    3) Questions: You or your prospective dancers can email the Junior Committee Chairs at: jcchairs@quadrilleball.org

    Exciting news regarding the 2025 Quadrille Ball will be released soon. Stay tuned!