ken thompkinsEndowed Chair Program 

"Endowed chairs in the orchestra are a sign to musicians, patrons, and board members that this orchestra’s mission is well-supported. It is a great honor for a musician to be recognized for their contributions to this wonderful orchestra by having their chair endowed."

– Ken Thompkins, Principal Trombone 


The Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s endowed chair program is a generous and personalized way an investor can support the artistic excellence of the orchestra. For the musician, having one’s chair endowed creates an immediate connection to the audience and demonstrates gratitude for the role the DSO plays in your life.

By naming a chair for yourselves, your family, or a loved one, you are contributing to the health and artistic culture of the DSO’s evolution by helping to grow our endowment. Named chair opportunities begin at $500, 000, and cultivates a special bond felt by the musician, and benefactor that signifies a mutual love for music and strong desire to share that passion with others.

The below graphic celebrates orchestra chairs that have been endowed and showcase where you can leave your mark and join a passionate community of music lovers!

endowed chairs infographic

Supporters Chair Currently Held By
Richard and Mona Alonzo Chair Timpani, Principal Jeremy Epp
Lee and Floy Barthel Chair  Trumpet, Principal Hunter Eberly
Walker L. Cisler/ Detroit Edison Foundation Chair First Violin, Assistant Concertmaster Hai-Xin Wu
Joanne Danto and Arnold Weingarden Chair Cello Peter McCaffrey
The Devereaux Family Chair Second Violin, Acting Principal Adam Stepniewski
Fred A. Erb Jazz Chair Jazz Director Terrence Blanchard
Lauren and Phillip Fisher Community Ambassador Community Ambassador Na'Zir McFadden
Barbara Frankel and Ronald Michalak Chair Bass Clarinet Shannon Orme
Byron and Dorothy Gerson Chair Bassoon, Principal Conrad Cornelison

Victor and Gale Girolami Chair

Cello Jeremy Crosmer

Ruth Roby and Alfred R. Glancy III Chair

Percussion, Principal Joseph Becker

Mary Ann and Robert Gorlin Chair

Cello Una O'Riordan

Dorothy and Herbert Graebner Chair

Cello, Assistant Principal  Abraham Feder
Morton and Brigitte Harris Chair Flute Amanda Blaikie
Ric and Carola Huttenlocher Chair Horn Scott Strong
Alan J. and Sue Kaufman and Family Chair Flute, Principal Hannah Hammel Maser
William Cody Knicely Chair Percussion, Assistant Principal Andres Pichardo-Rosenthal
Julie and Ed Levy, Jr. Chair Viola, Principal Eric Nowlin
David and Valerie McCammon Chair Second Violin Hae Jeong Heidi Han

David and Valerie McCammon Chair

Second Violin Will Haapaniemi

Maggie Miller Chair

Oboe Monica Fosnaugh
Shari and Craig Morgan Chair Piccolo Jeffery Zook
Shari and Craig Morgan Chair

English Horn 

Monica Fosnaugh
PVS Chemicals Inc./Jim and Ann Nicholson Chair Clarinet Jack Walters
Henry and Patricia Nickol Chair Viola Caroline Coade

Winifred E. Polk Chair

Harp, Principal OPEN

Bernard and Eleanor Robertson Chair

Flute, Assistant Principal Sharon Sparrow

Jack A. and Aviva Robinson Chair

Oboe, Principal

Alexander Kinmonth 

Robert B. Semple Chair Clarinet, Principal Ralph Skiano

Schwartz Shapero Family Chair

First Violin, Associate Concertmaster

Kim Kennedy 

Dr. Doris Tong and Teck Soo Chair

Second Violin Alexandros Sakarellos

Katherine Tuck Chair

First Violin, Concertmaster 

Robyn Bollinger

Van Dusen Family Chair

Bass, Principal

Kevin Brown

Legacy Chairs    

Women's Association for the DSO

Legacy Chair, Principal Flute

 

James C. Gordon

Legacy Chair, Principal Cello

 

Chairs Available for Endowment

   
Chair Currently Held By  
Principal Pops Conductor  Jeff Tyzik  
First Violin (7 Open Chairs)  
Second Violin (6 Open Chairs)  
Viola, Assistant Principal James VanValkenburg  
Cello, Principal Wei Yu  
Bass, Assistant Principal Stephen Molina  

Oboe, Assistant Principal

Sarah Lewis  

Assistant Principal, Trumpet

Stephen Anderson

 
Trombone, Principal Kenneth Thompkins  
Principal, Tuba (Reserved) Dennis Nulty  
Assistant Principal, Timpani James Ritchie