By Shayna Ryan

The first Chancellor’s Choice Concert, one of the featured Homecoming 2021 events, will take place Saturday, Nov. 6, in the Conn Center at 7:30 p.m.

This concert will feature some of Chancellor Paul Conn’s, and his wife Darlia’s, favorite musical selections performed by some of their most-beloved artists. The concert is one of two events happening during the Homecoming weekend to recognize and celebrate the Conns’ presidential tenure.

“We look forward to sharing this event with Lee family and the community,” said Dr. Brad Moffett, vice president of university relations. “It will be a night of beautiful music.”

Paul Conn, along with his wife Darlia, accepted the challenge to lead Lee in 1986. Their 34-year presidency not only greatly expanded the academic curriculum at Lee, but also invested much into the arts. During their tenure, the Conns established the Presidential Concert Series and hosted hundreds of musical guests for various performances on the Lee campus. Now, as chancellor, Conn continues as part of Lee’s leadership team, and the Chancellor’s Choice Concert will be presented to commemorate and honor the couple’s transition to this new role.

The concert will feature performances by Lee University staff, alumni, and students.

School of Music faculty performing will include Dr. Andrea Dismukes and Debbie Sheeks, both Lee alumnae. Dismukes joined the full-time Lee faculty in 1992 and has made numerous appearances in opera, oratorio, chamber music, and traditional solo recital venues. Sheeks is an adjunct professor of music and co-directs the Ladies of Lee ensemble with her husband Dr. Randy Sheeks.

Returning to their alma matter to also perform at the concert are Chad Stafford (’95), and Ryan Wilson (’03). Stafford, a Lee Campus Choir alum, currently serves as the worship pastor at Eastside Assembly in Tucson, Arizona. Wilson is a Voices of Lee alum and current associate pastor at the North Mount Zion Church of God in Hiawassee, Georgia.

Voices of Lee and the Lee University Festival Choir will also perform at the concert. Directed by Danny Murray, the Voices of Lee is a 16-member a cappella student ensemble characterized by a variety of vocal harmonies, high-energy numbers, and heartfelt gospel favorites. The Lee University Festival Choir, directed by Dr. William Green, comprises singers drawn from the seven student choral ensembles at Lee.

The Chancellor’s Choice Concert is free and open to the public, but tickets will be required and can be reserved at leeuhomecoming.com. It will also be available via livestream at https://leeu.live.

Lee University remains dedicated to the health and safety of both the campus community and guests and will observe COVID-19 protocols based on CDC recommendations at the time of the performance .

For more information about the concert or Homecoming 2021, visit leeuhomecoming.com, email [email protected], or call (423) 614-8316.