(Orlando, FL – September 29, 2011) – On Sunday, October 23, Bethune-Cookman University and the Orlando Philharmonic will present a memorable concert featuring Grammy-nominated international singer and recording artist Wintley Phipps. The concert will take place at 4 p.m. at Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center at Bethune-Cookman University, 698 West International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, and proceeds will support the Sallie Nichols Shelton Culver Professional Leadership Endowed Scholarship.

Phipps is a two-time Grammy Award nominee and world-renowned vocal artist. Phipps is widely known for his performance of “Amazing Grace” at the 2009 Inaugural Prayer Service for President Barack Obama at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. The historic performance was replayed on national broadcast for weeks after the event. The concert will feature a collection of songs and spirituals, including “Amazing Grace,” accompanied by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Dirk Meyer.

Margery Pabst, Orlando Philharmonic Board member, concert steering committee member, President of the Pabst Charitable Foundation for the Arts and former President of the Atlantic Center for the Arts, says this is the beginning of an annual partnership that will benefit both organizations and the community.

“This is a win/win for both the Orlando Philharmonic and Bethune-Cookman—the orchestra is proud to support the leaders of tomorrow at B-CU, and the musicians are delighted to have the opportunity to play in a world-class concert hall and extend symphonic music to a wider audience in Central Florida.”

Tickets for the concert range from $42 to $72 and may be purchased by calling the Orlando Philharmonic Box Office at 407-770-0071 or by visiting www.orlandophil.org/special-events.

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Sallie Nichols Shelton Culver, a 1959 graduate of Bethune-Cookman College, now Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) is a retired educator and a dedicated community volunteer, widely recognized for her service in the United Methodist Church, her alma mater and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She worked more than 30 years in the Volusia County School District as an English teacher, guidance counselor, dean and principal, and was an adjunct professor at Volusia County Community College, now Daytona State College. She was the first black female teacher assigned to a white school (Mainland High School), two years before the federal desegregation of public schools. She is a founding member of Hope House, a home for cocaine-addicted pregnant women in the criminal justice system. She has served on the B-CU Board of Counselors, B-CU Board of Trustees, Daytona Beach Economic Development Strategic Planning Committee and the Volusia County Library Advisory Board.

Now entering its 19th season, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is Central Florida’s resident professional orchestra, appearing in more than 125 performances each season. The Philharmonic’s mission is to foster and promote symphonic music through excellence in performance, education and cultural leadership.  To learn more about the orchestra and its programs, please visit www.orlandophil.org.

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Contact:

Emily Lindahl elindahl@orlandophil.org
Director of Public Relations
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
812 E. Rollins Street, Suite 300
Orlando, FL  32803
PH: (407) 896-6700 x 223
FAX: (407) 896-5512