A huge crowd nearly packed Kenneth R. Williams Auditorium March 24 as WSSU hosted an evening of musical enjoyment featuring GRAMMY® award-winning songstress, Patti Austin. Along with performing classic R&B and jazz numbers, Austin also performed with the WSSU Burke Singers under the direction of D’Walla Simmons Burke, director of choral programs at WSSU. To complete the evening, Robert Moody, musical director of the Winston-Salem Symphony, served as the master of ceremonies.
The event was all for a good cause – to raise funds for scholarships. As college students everywhere deal with budget cuts and tuition increases, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is working hard to provide financial aid for students who qualify academically, but fall short financially.
“It’s paramount that we provide young, talented minds with access to a university education,” said Donald J. Reaves, Ph.D., chancellor of WSSU. “To increase the number of scholarships we are awarding, we need the support of our communities, alumni, members of the faith community and other friends of the university to support scholarships.” “One of my strategic goals is to improve the student experience,” Chancellor Reaves continued. “A way to do that is to provide the financial assistance deserving students need.”
“We were thrilled to have the exciting collaboration between the university and the symphony and grateful for a group of donors — members of the Producer’s Circle— who fully underwrote the cost of the event,” said Michelle Cook, vice chancellor of the Division of University Advancement at WSSU.
Thousands of dollars were raised from this event. In addition to supporting a student’s education, concert goers heard Austin pay homage to jazz greats George Gershwin and Ella Fitzgerald, and smash hits like “Baby Come to Me”, and “How Do You Keep the Music Playing”.
It truly was “A night to remember!”
Patti Austin wows the crowd with one of her easy ballards.
The Burke Singers put on quite a show, while backing up Austin during the performance.
Austin lets go as she belts out one of her favorite songs.
