Endowed Chairs
Endowed 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!
| 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 |