University News

Black Violin to Perform at WIU March 8

February 7, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – Using classical musical instruments to defy stereotypes, the musical group Black Violin will perform at Western Illinois University at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 8 in the University Union Grand Ballroom.

The WIU stop is part of the Black Violin Unity Tour 2017, which has been across the country and around the world.

Violinists Wil Baptiste and Kevin Sylvester, also known on stage as Wil B and Kev Marcus met at a performing arts high school and have blended traditional classical violin music with hip hop, rock, bluegrass and rhythm and blues sounds. Baptiste plays the viola and Sylvester plays the violin.

The pair is joined on stage by turntable whiz DJ SPS.

According to the New York Times, sometimes Black Violin plays "with intense seriousness of orchestral soloists; at others they fiddle as if at a hoedown; at still others they strum the violin and viola like guitars."

The BCA performance at WIU is sponsored by the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center, the Black Male Achievement Network (BMAN), Tri States Public Radio and the WIU College of Fine Arts and Communication.

Tickets are $15 for the public, $10 for senior citizens, WIU employees and youth, and WIU students will be admitted free with valid student identification. Tickets are available at the Hainline Theatre Box Office or by visiting BCABringstheStars.com.

For more information about Black Violin, visit blackviolin.net.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing