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Show artwork for Relaxed Open Rehearsal

Relaxed Open Rehearsal

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Reserve Tickets

Relaxed Open Rehearsal

Thursday, September 22, 2022—10:00am

Reserve Tickets
Thursday, September 22, 2022—10:00am
Orchestra Hall
2 hours and 30 minutes

This free, relaxed open rehearsal gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the DSO as the musicians prepare for the upcoming DTE Community Concerts.

"Relaxed" events are designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and with other sensory sensitivities. Our culture can be unforgiving if you're unable to conform to the standard concert etiquette of quietly sitting still for extended periods. This excludes individuals who are unable to sit still or who may express emotions such as joy or excitement through vocalization. This relaxed open rehearsal aims to remove barriers, allowing everyone to be themselves and enjoy a musical experience in a safe and judgement-free environment.

Your experience includes:
• Exclusive access to a DSO rehearsal;
• Limited audience size for reduced crowds;
• A sensory toolkit with noise-cancelling headphones and fidgets for use during the rehearsal (limited number available);
• Quiet Space to take a break;
• Instrument "petting zoo" – this is your chance to get up close to the string instruments you’ll see being played onstage. From 9-9:45am, you can hold, touch, and play a violin, viola, and cello;
• Trained DSO staff members – the Mid-Michigan Autism Association has provided training to our staff to help them better understand the characteristics of autism and how to better communicate with someone with autism;
• Resources to help you prepare for the event: an information guide, social story, and Spotify playlist.

Artists

Na'Zir McFadden

Assistant Conductor

American conductor Na’Zir McFadden is the newly appointed Assistant Conductor and Phillip & Lauren Fisher Community Ambassador of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

In this position, he’ll work closely with Music Director Jader Bignamini and guest conductors on both the PVS Classical Series and William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series. Additionally, he’ll lead pre-concert lectures at Orchestra Hall, and conduct a variety of programs on the Educational Concert Series, Young People’s Family Concert Series, PNC Pops Series, as well as DTE Community Concerts.

To commence with the 2022-23 season, Na’Zir will serve as Music Director of the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra. Together, they’ll present three programs — exploring the symphonies of Dvorak, Tchaikovsky and Florence Price.

An advocate for arts education, McFadden strives to provide access to the arts for students in underserved communities. This upcoming season, McFadden will make appearances with youth ensembles in Salt Lake City and with the Philadelphia All-City Music Festival. In the past, he’s worked with youth ensembles in Chicago, New York City, St. Louis and Los Angeles.

Recent engagements include a recording project with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago as part of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Notes for Peace’ initiative — which featured Hilary Hahn as guest soloist.

McFadden was the inaugural Apprentice Conductor of the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra from 2020 to 2022 working with Music Director Beatrice Jona Affron. He also served as the Robert L. Poster Conducting Apprentice of the New York Youth Symphony from 2020 to 2021.

Na’Zir conducted his hometown orchestra – The Philadelphia Orchestra – in their “Pop-Up” series in 2017, meeting their Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin who has been a mentor ever since. The Philadelphia Inquirer praised his “great stick [baton] technique and energetic presence on the podium” in their review of the concert.

Upcoming engagements include a series of commissions with Orchestra 2001 and appearances with the Utah Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Ballet.

HEAR THE POSSIBILITIES

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Your generous gift makes world-class music at the DSO possible, fueling the community connections, life-changing education and captivating programming that impacts more than 500,000 people a year!