Black Violin - Be Free Tour
Show Information
There will be one 20-minute intermission.
Photos and videos allowed but NO flash.
Haze and strobes/flashing lights will be used in this production.
Welcome from the President
Dear Audience Members,
It’s great to have you with us. The 2026–27 performing arts season is a blend of outstanding music, comedy, dance, and drama sure to entertain and rouse the emotions while reminding us all of everything we love about the arts.
Each production is made possible through the hard work and support of our staff, volunteers, students, faculty, benefactors, sponsors, the FSPA whose vision and courage made the Fine Arts Center possible, and of course, you—our patrons. Thank you to everyone for your crucial role in making Viterbo University the premier destination for the arts in the region.
If you have not yet had the pleasure, I would like to extend a personal invitation to attend one of our Conservatory for the Performing Arts productions this season. The immense talent of our students always makes me extremely proud.
Now, on with the show!
“Pace e Bene”
Peace and all good
Rick Trietley VIterbo University President
Coming Up
The Thanksgiving Play
November 20, 2026 | Multiple Showings
LaCroix Black Box Theatre
A Viterbo Christmas: Awake, My Soul!
December 5, 2026 | Multiple Showings
Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
About Black Violin
High school friends Kevin Sylvester (Kev Marcus) and Wilner Baptiste (Wil B) met in a Fort Lauderdale performing arts program as teens. While Sylvester plays the violin, Baptiste plays the viola and together they create a distinct sound that rocked the hip-hop community. Despite attending different colleges, the two gravitated back toward one another and decided to try their hand at music full-time.
Their first taste of stardom came when they performed alongside Grammy winner Alicia Keys at the 2004 Billboard Music Awards. The duo used this momentum to provide musical support on tour for artists such as Wu-Tang Clan and Kanye West. Baptiste also has musical credits on studio albums for hip-hop sensations Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B and Lil Wayne.
In 2007, the duo released their self-titled debut album, and the follow-up, Classically Trained, a few years later.
Their 2019 album Take the Stairs was nominated for a Grammy, the duo's first recognition.
Most recently, Black Violin released their own spin on a Christmas album titled Give Thanks. In 2019, Sylvester, Baptiste and Phil Beaudreau founded their own label titled Di Versatile Music Group to promote the release of Take the Stairs, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Classical and Classical Crossover charts, and cracked the Top 10 on the Top New Artists chart and Hip Hop and R&B Chart.
Thank you to our sponsors
