Members of the Lee University Symphonic Band will host an “Evening of Swing” on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in the Mayfield Annex gym. The event will include a live band featuring members of Lee’s Symphonic Band, free food, and door prizes.
“We are working hard on getting the best of the best for our ‘Evening of Swing,’ and we want everyone to enjoy this night,” said event coordinator Hannah DeVine, a junior public relations major and music minor. “It is right around Valentine's Day, which makes it the perfect, affordable date night. We have awesome giveaways from local donors and plenty of food.”
A select group of musicians, featuring Concerto Competition winners Kyle Dykes and Tim Ferguson, as well as other musicians from Symphonic Band, will perform classic Swing Band charts from the Big Band era, as well as other standards. During the performance, swing lessons will be provided by members of Unity Dance, a local dance troupe.
“You do not want to miss out on the fun,” said Dr. Mark Bailey, Symphonic Band conductor and professor of music at Lee. “All proceeds will help send the band to Korea. Come join us for a night of Swing."
The Symphonic Band has performed at churches across the country and at conferences such as the Christian Instrumentalists and Directors Association National Conference and the Atlanta Instrumental Expo Conference, the largest instrumental church music conference in America. It has also performed at numerous music festivals, appeared on television and radio, headlined important university events, and toured 14 foreign nations around the world.
The “Evening of Swing” will help to raise money for the Symphonic Band’s mission trip to South Korea this coming May. Tickets are $5 each and can be pre-purchased in the Paul Conn Student Union prior to the event or at the door.
Food is provided by Jimmy Johns, Jersey Mikes, and the Great American Cookie Company. Door prizes from BonLife, Cupcake Divas, Five Points Cafe, and Smoothie King, among others, will be given.
For more information about Symphonic Band or the “Evening of Swing,” contact the School of Music at music@leeuniversity.edu or Ms. DeVine at (256) 466-4749.