Anderson University

President and Mrs. Evans Whitaker cordially invite the Anderson community to the Centennial President’s Gala and Concert. A host of talented singers, dancers, and instrumentalists will present the free pops concert on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 8:00 pm. In its fourth year, the President’s Gala has become a beloved event for the arts in the Anderson area and throughout the Upstate. This year’s President’s Gala is offered as a final event of the Anderson University Centennial Celebration.  The program features a variety of top performers from the AU College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Performers from the music and theatre departments will pop with a variety of musical genres designed to give any audience member something memorable to take home with them. According to Dr. David Larson, Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, “There is no better way to conclude our year-long Centennial Celebration than with a dynamic evening of joyous song and vibrant performances.  We invite the upstate community to celebrate with us on April 15^th.  Think of this President’s Gala as an evening of musical fireworks.”

The vibrant pops concert will feature Forget About the Boy and Gimmie, Gimmie, both from the blockbuster musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.   The evening will bristle with a rich variety of popular music, including the country song Crazy Dreams, the theme from The Incredibles, and the poignant violin favorite, Ashokan Farewell.  A stirring rendition of Danny Boy will be presented by the the AU Concert Choir.  The concert will feature a salute to the heroes of Anderson University with a stirring presentation of John Williams’ Olympic theme, Summon the Heroes.  The concert will conclude with a moving presentation of Make Our Garden Grow, by Leonard Bernstein.

All are welcome to come and enjoy this free night of culture and entertainment, but tickets are required. Preconcert music will be presented outside the Rainey Center, in the lobby and onstage beginning at 7:30 p.m.  The President’s Gala will be held in the Henderson Auditorium of The Rainey Fine Arts Center. Call 864-231-2080 for tickets. Admission is free.

 Anderson University is a comprehensive university affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention offering bachelors and masters degrees. Anderson is ranked in the Top Tier (top 21) of colleges and universities in the South, and one of 68 “Up and Coming” schools to watch in America,” by U. S. News & World Report. It is the #1 “Up and Coming” school in The South according to that publication.  Anderson has also been named one of “Americas 100 Best College Buys,” Located in The Upstate region of South Carolina near the foothills of the Appalachians, Anderson University features a rigorous education in a supportive Christian environment.

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