Award-winning gospel artists Tamela and David Mann are set to take the stage with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra this Saturday in Newport News, capping a one-night-only show with roots in a week of community give-back across Hampton Roads. The couple teamed up with local community partners ahead of the concert, part of a broader push to connect their performance with the neighborhoods around it.
According to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the Manns will perform at the Ferguson Center for the Arts at Christopher Newport University on November 14, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Earl Bynum and the Mount Unity Choir are slated to join the bill, with Virginia native Donald Lee III conducting the engagement. The concert is presented in partnership with CNU's Ferguson Center for the Arts and the Truist Charitable Fund.
Fans looking for more than a seat in the crowd can opt for VIP packages, which the orchestra says will include premiere front-row seats, an intimate Q&A, and a personal photo with the Manns.
A Week Of Community Stops Before The Curtain Rises
Before they ever reach the Ferguson Center stage, the Manns are hosting a series of community engagement events with Truist, the Truist Charitable Fund, and other local partners, according to WAVY.com. That includes a fireside chat at Hampton University, a shoe distribution event with Samaritan's Feet and United Way of the Virginia Peninsula at Discovery STEM Academy, and a Truist Life, Money, and Choices event at Heritage High School.
The station reports the Manns said they were honored and excited to partner with Truist, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and Hampton Roads community organizations, adding that the partnership is an opportunity to invest in students, celebrate culture, and inspire families. They also said they hope to make a positive impact through conversation, service and music.
What The Truist Program Actually Covers
The financial literacy stop at Heritage High School ties into Truist's Life, Money, and Choices initiative, which the bank describes as free financial education offered in high schools, colleges, and community organizations, according to Truist. The program centers on a scenario-based simulation designed to walk young adults through different financial strategies and the impact of their choices. It's built around up to 12 learning stations, the bank says, each representing a critical aspect of personal finance.
That hands-on format gives the Manns' Hampton Roads stops a practical dimension beyond the music, pairing a celebrity visit with a structured financial curriculum aimed at students before they head into adulthood.
Saturday's Gospel Night At The Ferguson Center
Once the community stops wrap, attention shifts back to the Ferguson Center for the Arts, where the symphony's gospel-infused program brings together the Manns, Earl Bynum, the Mount Unity Choir, and conductor Donald Lee III for the single scheduled performance. The pairing of a full orchestra with gospel vocalists and choir support marks a distinct format for the venue's Newport News audience this fall.
