Anderson University’s most anticipated cultural event is back! The President’s Gala is returning for two sparkling nights—April 22 and 23. The South Carolina School of the Arts is proud to present this joyous celebration of the 2021-2022 academic year.
The finest musicians, dancers, actors and vocalists at Anderson University will perform at this year’s President’s Gala.
The President’s Gala includes everything from rousing orchestral arrangements to dance to pop—show tunes, too.
The President’s Gala is a gift to the community from AU. Tickets are required and can be obtained through the AU Box Office or online. The tickets will go early as the event has a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest and most diverse musical spectacles in Upstate South Carolina each year.
Senior Max Milian, one of the student arrangers and student musical director for AUthenticity, Anderson’s commercial music ensemble, says that coming back to a live in-person performance gives students the experiences they’ve missed over the past two years.
“I think it provides both audience members and performers a real chance to actually not take things for granted,” Milian said. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to perform with a symphony orchestra in an auditorium with a thousand people in the audience. Those are things that, during my freshman year, were a big opportunity before the pandemic hit; we’ve missed that, but coming back to it is really exciting.”
McCayla Ratcliffe, a senior majoring in worship leadership who was once an American Idol contestant in Hollywood, California, has been leading worship in chapels and following God’s call into music ministry. As with other graduating seniors, the 2022 President’s Gala for her is special.
“Everyone is super excited because we’ve been deprived of being all together and having that community and that social aspect of performance as an event. It’s definitely missed, so people really appreciate it a lot more, especially as a performer,” said Ratcliffe.
For Spencer Dulin, a musical theatre major and commercial music minor, the reality of Gala returning to its full glory is still sinking in.
“It’s going to be huge… you almost have to stop and believe it’s a full-fledged production again,” Dulin said “It’s just really exciting because there’s a lot of good work being showcased and there are a lot of very talented people involved.”
“The best thing about Gala and honestly this whole department is you get to work with so many people who are outside of your major you didn’t think you’d work with. So I’m excited to do that again and excited that the choir is together again and the orchestra,” said Angelina Chisholm, a senior double majoring in worship leadership and communication. “There’s a bit of nervousness about all of us being there and everything in full swing again.”
Both Gala performances will begin at 8 p.m. in the Henderson Auditorium of the Rainey Fine Arts Center.
Tickets for general admission are $10 and $5 for faculty, staff and students (only available to purchase at the box office).
Tickets are available to reserve in person, online, or by phone on March 22, 2022 starting at 9am EST. All ticket requests, whether in person or by phone, will be combined and processed in chronological order.
Please call the Box Office at 864-231-2080 for more information and tickets.