News

The Lee University Symphony Orchestra, led by Bob Bernhardt, will present featured guest act “The Piano Men,” in the next Presidential Concert Series event. The performance Friday, Nov. 21 will take guests on a musical journey of the 70s through the music of Billy Joel and Elton John, brought to the stage by pianist Jim Witter.

Performing a wide variety of orchestral literature, Lee’s Symphony Orchestra is led by Bernhardt, a critically acclaimed conductor. In addition to performing one major concert each semester, its musicians frequently participate in operatic, choral, and other concerts on the campus. Recent repertoire includes Respighi’s “Pines of Rome,” Humperdinck’s “Evening Prayer and Dream Pantomime,” and Dvořák’s “Symphony from the New World.”

Bernhardt joined Lee’s School of Music in the fall of 2011 as an artist-in-residence. He also serves as Music Director Emeritus and Principal Pops Conductor of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera (CSO) and Principal Pops Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. He was formerly the music director and conductor for 19 seasons with the CSO, and is the first to hold the title Emeritus.

Witter’s songwriting and music have been recognized on both sides of the border, earning him multiple awards and nominations from the Canadian Country Music Association, the Juno Awards, and most recently the Dove Awards in Nashville, where Witter’s album “Forgiveness” was nominated for inspirational album of the year. From his first self-titled record to “All My Life” and “Forgiveness,” Witter has had ten Top 10 radio hits in Canada, seven hit videos on CMT (Country Music Television,) and impressive chart action in the U.S. on both the Billboard and R&R charts.

Friday’s Presidential Concert Series event will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Conn Center, which is located at the intersection of Parker and 11th Streets. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for seniors and students, and they will be available at the Lee University Box Office in the Dixon Center, or by contacting 423-614-8343, between 3 and 6 p.m.

For more information about the Presidential Concert Series, please visit www.leeuniversity.edu/pcs or call the School of Music at (423) 614-8240.