The 45th Classical Roots concert and 22nd anniversary Celebration recognizes the accomplishments of two remarkable individuals: Composer Anthony Davis and community leader and longtime Classical Roots supporter Dr. Charles G. Adams.

Since 1978, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Classical Roots concerts have increased the awareness of the significant contributions that African American composers and musicians have made to classical music. The Arthur L. Johnson – Honorable Damon Jerome Keith Classical Roots Celebration, held in conjunction with the concerts since 2001, supports the Classical Roots mission. Funds raised through the Celebration provide increased opportunities for African Americans in classical music through DSO programs including the African American Orchestra Fellowship and African American Composer Residency.

Sales end for this event on March 1. Please contact Ali Huber for inquiries after that time at ahuber@dso.org.

Evening Schedule

Arthur L. Johnson – Honorable Damon Jerome Keith 22nd Classical Roots Celebration

5:00 Doors open, cocktail hour -William Davidson Atrium
6:00 Seated dinner – Peter D.& Julie F. Cummings Cube
8:00 Classical Roots Concert -Orchestra Hall
10:30 Dessert and Dancing Afterglow - Peter D.& Julie F. Cummings Cube

Artists
Na’Zir McFadden, conductor
Anthony McGill, clarinet
Earl Howard, Kurzweil synthesizer
Davóne Tines, bass-baritone
jessica Care moore, poet
Brazeal Dennard Chorale (Alice McAllister Tillman, artistic director)

Program to include:
JOHN ROSAMOND JOHNSON/ARR. CARTER Lift Every Voice and Sing
ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK O Praise the Lord
TRADITIONAL/ARR. DUNCAN Hold On!
ANTHONY DAVIS You Have the Right to Remain Silent concerto for clarinet/contra-alto clarinet, Kurzweil synthesizer, and ensemble in four movements
FLORENCE PRICE Concert Overture No. 2
VARIOUS ‘Concerto No. 1: SERMON’ devised by Davóne Tines

For more information about this event please contact Ali Huber at ahuber@dso.org or (313) 576-5449. Concert-only tickets are available to purchase here.

CELEBRATION TICKETS

RUBY $800 (limited availability) FMV $260 —SOLD OUT
Includes: One VIP ticket to the Classical Roots in-person concert or live virtual stream
Premier Box Level seating
Priority seating at Celebration dinner
Access to the Herman and Sharon Frankel Donor Lounge during intermission
Admittance to the Afterglow
Recognition on digital event signage
Recognition in commemorative program
Valet Parking

BENEFACTOR $600 FMV $205
Includes: One ticket to Classical Roots in-person concert or live virtual stream
Premier Main Floor seating
Reserved seating at Celebration dinner
Access to the Herman and Sharon Frankel Donor Lounge during intermission
Admittance to the Afterglow
Recognition in commemorative program
Valet Parking

PATRON $300 FMV $180
Includes: One ticket to Classical Roots in-person concert or live virtual stream
Premier Main Floor and Mid-Balcony seating
Reserved seating at Celebration dinner
Admittance to the Afterglow
Valet Parking

FRIEND $150 FMV $70
Includes: One ticket to Classical Roots in-person concert or live virtual stream
Premier Mid-Balcony and Main Floor B seating
Admittance to the Afterglow
Valet Parking

We regret that we are unable to guarantee exact seating locations for the Classical Roots concert.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Celebration Sponsor $40,000 (tickets for 16)
- Recognition as Celebration Sponsor on digital and print promotions
- Opportunity for meet and greet with guest artist or honoree
- Recognition as a Celebration Sponsor on all event signage
- Priority seating for 16 at Celebration dinner
- Box Level seating for 16 at Classical Roots Concert
- Opportunity for remarks during Celebration dinner
- Admission for 16 to Afterglow with reserved seating
- Verbal recognition as a Celebration Sponsor at Classical Roots Concert and Celebration dinner
- Full page ad in program book
- Valet parking

Supporting Sponsor $25,000 (tickets for 10)
- Recognition as Supporting Sponsor on digital and print promotions
- Opportunity for meet and greet with guest artist or honoree
- Recognition as Supporting Sponsor on all event signage
- Priority seating for 10 at Celebration dinner
- Box Level seating for 10 at Classical Roots Concert
- Opportunity for remarks during Celebration dinner
- Admission for 10 to Afterglow with reserved seating
- Verbal recognition as a Celebration Sponsor at Classical Roots Concert and Celebration dinner
- Full page ad in program book
- Valet parking

Fellowship Sponsor $15,000 (tickets for 8)
- Recognition as Fellowship Sponsor on digital and print promotions
- Recognition as Fellowship Sponsor on all event signage
- Premier seating for 8 at Celebration dinner
- Box Level seating as Classical Roots Concert
- Admission for 8 to Afterglow with reserved seating
- Valet Parking

Guest Artist Sponsor $10,000 (tickets for 6)
- Recognition as Guest Artist/Soloist Sponsor on digital and print promotions
- Recognition as a Guest Artist Sponsor on all event signage
- Premier seating for 6 at Celebration dinner
- Premier main floor seating for 6 at the Classical Roots Concert
- Admission for 6 to Afterglow with reserved seating
- Half page ad in program book
- Valet parking

Community Engagement Sponsor $5,000 (tickets for 4)
- Recognition as Community Engagement Sponsor on digital and print promotions
- Recognition as Community Engagement sponsor on all event signage
- Reserved seating for 4 at Celebration dinner
- Premier Main Floor Level Seating for 4 at Classical Roots Concert
- Admission for 4 to Afterglow with reserved seating
- Half page ad in program book
- Valet parking

Education Sponsor $3,500 (tickets for 2)
Each sponsor enables a class of Detroit students to attend the Classical Roots Coffee Concert on Friday, March 3 at 10:45 a.m.
- Recognition as Education Sponsor on digital and print promotions
- Your logo projected on digital screens throughout the evening
- Reserved seating for 2 at Celebration Dinner
- Premier main floor seating for 2 at Classical Roots Concert
- Admission for 2 to Afterglow
- Quarter-page ad in commemorative program
- Valet Parking

AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION & OUTREACH PROGRAMS

The DSO has for years been at the forefront of the movement to celebrate the contributions of African American composers, nurture the talents of young African American classical musicians, and increase access and opportunity for younger African Americans who might never otherwise experience the magic of classical music. The DSO extends the Classical Roots mission beyond the concert hall, with school visits, a chamber recital, and other community events scheduled for the weeks preceding the Celebration.

The African American Fellowship Program addresses the shortage of African Americans in professional orchestras by offering a yearlong fellowship with the DSO to selected musicians. Past DSO fellows have gone on to win positions in orchestras across the United States, including DSO Principal Trombone Kenneth Thompkins and DSO Cello Cole Randolph. A new initiative during the 40th anniversary year was the Classical Roots African American Composer Residency. Through the residency, a composer is selected to premiere his or her work in conjunction with Classical Roots.

The residency is granted to a living African American composer. The selected work(s) will be performed at the Classical Roots Chamber Recital in Detroit, Michigan. The winning composer will receive an honorarium of $500 plus round-trip air travel to Detroit, accommodations for the duration of their stay, ground transportation, and a stipend for incidentals.