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Dr. Barry Epperley has been a leader in the performing arts in northeast Oklahoma for nearly three decades leading a professional orchestra and impacting thousands of lives through his love of music. He is currently the Conductor and Artistic Director of the Signature Symphony at 91Ӱ�� and will retire in July. “Give Our Regards to Barry,” a spectacular evening of tribute will honor the contributions of Epperley and feature a performance from Tony award winning Broadway star Bernadette Peters.

The black-tie gala is Thursday, May 22 at the Cox Business Center in downtown Tulsa. A cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner, a roast and toast of Dr. Epperley, and live auction, before Bernadette Peters takes the stage. Sponsorships are available for the elegant evening with Peters hosting a VIP reception for major sponsors. Individual tickets are available for $300.

This will be an evening to remember as Broadway’s finest serenades Tulsa’s finest. Peters will be accompanied by the Signature Symphony at 91Ӱ��. Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage and television, in concert, and on recordings. Her distinguished career includes three Tony Awards, seven Tony Award nominations, a Golden Globe and an impressive list of television credits and 17 films.

Epperley’s dedication to the performing arts and arts education illustrates the significant impact one dedicated individual can have on a community. He was a recipient of the 2013 Governor’s Award from the Oklahoma Arts Council. Epperley’s passion for quality arts entertainment and desire to share the magic of music is evident in Higher Scale, a community outreach program he founded in 2000. Higher Scale has exposed thousands of students to classical music and allows professional musicians to teach violin, viola and cello in Tulsa Public Schools to third, fourth and fifth graders. During the 2012 -2013 school year, 400 individual students learned to play a string instrument with lessons twice a week and another 2,245 students learned about classical music from a live Signature Quartet performance at their school in Tulsa and Broken Arrow. In addition, more than 2,000 tickets were made available to students for $1 to attend a Williams Signature Classics performance during the Signature Symphony season. Proceeds from “Give Our Regards to Barry” will help support and strengthen the student programs he established and allow thousands of public school students to continue to benefit from music education.

The “Give Our Regards to Barry” gala committee includes honorary chair Mollie Williford, event chair Mary Shaw, sponsor chair Steve Turnbo, auction chair Jennifer Palmer and publicity chair Les Boyle. The committee members are Billie Barnett, Linda Booker, Marcia Brueggenjohann, Kelly Clark, Bryan Close, Walli Daniel, Judy Edmonson, Pageant Ferriabough, Jim Fellows, Wendy Gregory, Jerry Hoopert, Eileen Kenney, Jeanette Kern, Carol Messer, Marcia MacLeod, Susan Martin, Rania Nasreddine, Delia Pierson, Rodney Pratz, Alicia Ranne, Cassie Reese, Isaac Rocha, Jan Slater, Jane Stanley and Dean VanTrease.

The presenting sponsor for “Give Our Regards to Barry” is Mollie Williford. Soloist sponsors are D & L Oil Tools; J.A. Mathis Company; OK2Grow; Hannah & Joe Robson; Dr. Frank & Mary Shaw; TTCU-The Credit Union; 91Ӱ�� Foundation; and WPX Energy.

Bank of Oklahoma; Linda & Ray Booker; The Mervin Bovaird Foundation; Bryan Close; Oxley Foundation; Henry & Jane Primeaux; Saied Family Foundation; Security Bank-Tulsa; and Dave & Barbara Sylvan are principal sponsors.

Musician sponsors include Barnett Family Foundation; Lorelei Kaiser Barton; Robert & Karen Beach; Cherokee Nation Businesses; Steve & Ruthie Duenner; Phil & Kelly Fonkalsrud; Dr. Stan & Barbara Grogg; Dr. & Mrs. James Higgins; Mary Anne & C.S. Lewis, III; Dr. Carol Messer; Oklahoma State University; Jennifer & Tom Palmer; Betty & Steve Pirnat; Public Service Company of Oklahoma; Ruthanna B. Snow Charitable Foundation; Schnake Turnbo Frank; Senior Star; Keith & Jane Stanley; Dr. Dean & Vesta VanTrease; Monica Williford & Steve Bayles; and Richard A. Williford, Jr.

For more information, contact Eileen Kenney at (918) 595-7844 or eileen.kenney@tulsacc.edu.