Detroit, (November 21, 2019) – The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) gets into the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events. See below for information about all seasonal performances.
All events take place at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center (3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI). The Max includes Orchestra Hall, home of the DSO; The Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings Cube (The Cube); and the William Davidson Atrium, in addition to the outdoor Sosnick Courtyard.
DSO Presents: The Swingles: Winter Tales (Saturday, November 30)
The DSO is excited to welcome the The Swingles to kick off its holiday programming with a one-night-only DSO Presents concert titled Winter Tales, featuring a banquet of folk- and jazz- inspired original songs, classic carols, and more.
The Swingles: Winter Tales performance will take place Saturday, November 30 at 8 p.m. in Orchestra Hall.
Please note: the DSO does not appear on this performance.
Paradise Jazz Series: The Duke Ellington Orchestra (Friday, December 6)
The only ensemble directly carrying on the musical tradition from Duke himself, The Duke Ellington Orchestra returns to Detroit for a program of celebrated classics, including selections from Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, on the Paradise Jazz Series.
The Duke Ellington Orchestra performance takes place Friday, December 6 at 8 p.m. in Orchestra Hall. After the concert, award-winning swing band Planet D Nonet feat. Thornetta Davis will perform at an event in The Cube beginning at 10 p.m. Paul Carryer of Swing S.L.A.M. will teach a dance lesson starting at 9:15 p.m.
Please note: the DSO does note appear on these performances.
The Paradise Jazz Series is presented by Cadillac with support from TCF and MGM Grand Detroit.
Young People’s Family Concert: Winter Wonderland (Saturday, December 7)
Young DSO fans and their families are invited to Orchestra Hall for Winter Wonderland conducted by Kelly Corcoran. This Young People’s Family Concert Series performance features favorites from Frozen, The Polar Express, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, and more.
Winter Wonderland will take place Saturday, December 7 at 11 a.m. in Orchestra Hall. Prior to the concert, a Tiny Tots performance featuring Uncle Gerry and Friends will take place in The Cube, beginning at 10 a.m.
Tiny Tots concerts are designed for children ages 2-6 and their families; Young People’s Family Concerts are family-friendly orchestra performances designed for audiences age 6 and up.
Please note: the DSO does not appear on the Tiny Tots performance.
The Young People’s Family Concert Series is sponsored by Sun Communities.
47th Annual Noel Night (Saturday, December 7)
The DSO is proud to once again partner with Midtown Detroit, Inc., community partners, and businesses to celebrate the 47th Annual Noel Night, a Cultural Center-wide holiday open house that presents free activities including: horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping, family craft activities, and performances by over 100 area music, theater, and dance groups, and other special performances. Noel Night takes place on Saturday, December 7.
Starting at 1 p.m., the DSO’s Sosnick Courtyard (located at 51 Parsons Street, adjacent to The Max) is brought to life with an ice sculpting demonstration featuring Ice Guru Randy Finch of Food Network’s Ice Brigade and students from College for Creative Studies and Wayne State University, plus holiday caroling with La Shaun phoenix Moore and The Detroit Actor’s Theatre Company.
In the evening, enjoy food and drink specials, holiday shopping, roving robots inspired by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and photos with Santa at The Max. At 8 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. in The Cube, Gullah ambassadors and 2020 Grammy-nominated Ranky Tanky will treat Noel Nighters to back-to-back performances.
All Noel Night activities and performances at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center are FREE of charge and open to the general public, with no tickets required. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Please note: the DSO does not appear on Noel Night performances.
Visit noelnight.org for more information on the entire event.
Classical Series: Handel’s Messiah (Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14)
Conductor Ruth Reinhardt leads the DSO in a long-standing Christmastime tradition and one of the most revered oratorios of all time: Handel’s Messiah.
The performances will take place Friday, December 13 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 14 at 8 p.m. in Orchestra Hall.
The Classical Series is sponsored by PVS Chemicals.
DSO Presents: Home Alone in Concert (Wednesday, December 18)
Back by popular demand, Home Alone in Concert is a screening of the beloved Chris Columbus / John Hughes film in historic Orchestra Hall, with the DSO playing John Williams’ Oscar-nominated score live in concert. Constantine Kitsopoulos will conduct.
Home Alone with the DSO will take place Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Orchestra Hall.
© 1990 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
PNC Pops Series: Home for the Holidays (Friday-Sunday, December 20-22)
Home for the Holidays, Detroit’s favorite and bestselling holiday tradition, returns to Orchestra Hall for six Christmas weekend performances conducted by Stuart Chafetz. The concerts will feature carols, classics, and a visit from Santa Claus, as well as vocalist Dee Donasco.
Home for the Holidays performances will take place Friday, December 20 at 10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, December 21 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, December 22 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Orchestra Hall.
The PNC Pops Series is sponsored by PNC Bank.
Additional support for the PNC Pops Series is provided by Masco Corporation Foundation. Home for the Holidays is additionally sponsored by Laskaris-Jamett Advisors of Raymond James.
-------
Please visit dso.org/calendar for a look at the complete DSO schedule, including these holiday programs.
-------
Ticket Information
Tickets for all holiday performances can be purchased at dso.org, by calling (313) 576-5111, or in-person at the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center Box Office (3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit).
Groups of 10 or more can save up to 30% on the price of a single ticket for most DSO concerts. For more information, contact Group Sales Manager Jim Sabatella at (313) 576-5130 or jsabatella@dso.org.
About the DSO
The most accessible orchestra on the planet, the acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. As a community-supported orchestra, generous giving by individuals and institutions at all levels drives the continued success and growth of the institution. Conductor Leonard Slatkin, who recently concluded an acclaimed decade-long tenure at the helm, now serves as the DSO’s Music Director Laureate, endowed by the Kresge Foundation. Celebrated conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik is the orchestra’s Principal Pops Conductor, while the outstanding trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard holds the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO offers a performance schedule that features Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, and Young People’s Family Concert series. One of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, Orchestra Hall celebrates its centennial in 2019-2020. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in seven metro area venues, as well as a robust schedule of eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings. A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series, which also reaches tens of thousands of children with the Classroom Edition expansion. With growing attendance and unwavering philanthropic support from the people of Detroit, the DSO actively pursues a mission to embrace and inspire individuals, families, and communities through unsurpassed musical experiences.