- DSO musicians to perform at Chandler Park Community Arts and Music Festival on July 10, Chandler Park Jazz & Gospel Performance on August 14, and Clark Park Culture & Arts on August 21, in addition to Brilliant Detroit Southwest
Detroit, (June 29, 2021) – The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) today shared full details of its initial collaborations with organizations and community members in the Detroit neighborhoods of Chandler Park and Southwest Detroit presented under the auspices of the orchestra’s new Detroit Neighborhood Initiative. One part of the DSO’s strengthened commitment to the growth and well-being of the City of Detroit—what the orchestra is calling its Detroit Strategy—the Detroit Neighborhood Initiative is a community-driven process of dialogue and planning, resulting in cultural partnerships that enrich the community, and musical experiences that align with the priorities of Detroit residents.
For the past year, and with the support of a $200,000 grant from General Motors and additional support from the Stone Foundation of Michigan and PwC, the DSO has met with 51 different community organizations in Chandler Park and Southwest Detroit and held 11 listening sessions with residents of those neighborhoods, connecting with more than 200 community members. The DSO has sought out new relationships and fostered participation to create a sense of shared ownership in building community-centered events that are respectful of the cultures of these neighborhoods.
“As a lifelong Detroiter, I am thrilled to be part of these new efforts by the DSO to authentically and responsively engage with Detroit communities,” said Faye Alexander Nelson, a member of the DSO’s Board of Directors and Chair of its Detroit Strategy Taskforce. “The Detroit Neighborhood Initiative has been crafted with unparalleled thoughtfulness, and I cannot wait to see where the DSO goes from here.”
“General Motors and Cadillac have been longtime supporters of Detroit’s cultural pillars like the DSO,” said Lori Wingerter, Chief Philanthropy Officer at General Motors. “We’re thrilled to support this effort to help expand reach into the neighborhoods and foster an incredible sense of community through music and art.”
Scott Strong, a DSO horn player and member of the Detroit Strategy Taskforce, said, "The musicians of the DSO have never felt the lack of connection with our audiences more acutely than the past year. Having our home at Orchestra Hall in Midtown Detroit, we are now excited to explore new ways to meaningfully connect with our city. The artistry displayed by my colleagues on stage inspires me on a daily basis, and I cannot wait to share that with all Detroiters."
DSO musicians will perform at the following community events this summer. For these initial events, the DSO is proud to be partnering with the following organizations:
- Chandler Park: Chandler Park Conservancy, Brilliant Detroit, Eastside Community Network, Wayne County Parks Department, City of Detroit Parks and Recreation
- Southwest: Brilliant Detroit, Matrix Theater, Clark Park Coalition, City of Detroit Parks and Recreation
Chandler Park Community Arts and Music Festival
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 10, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Wayne County Family Aquatic Center Parking Lot, 12600 Chandler Park Dr, Detroit, MI 48213
DESCRIPTION: This is Chandler Park's first annual Community Arts and Music Festival.
The Festival features performances by DSO musicians and local artists, music education activities, giveaways, a community music jam, live painting, dancing, creative writing, and other activities and resources for all ages.
Chandler Park Jazz & Gospel Performance
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 14, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Wayne County Family Aquatic Center Parking Lot, 12600 Chandler Park Dr, Detroit, MI 48213
DESCRIPTION: A Musical Experience featuring DSO musicians, Sasha Kashperko Trio, and a local Gospel group.
Clark Park Culture & Arts
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 21, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Clark Park Stage (Clark Ave between Christiancy St & Vernor Hwy)
DESCRIPTION: This community culture and arts festival will feature DSO musicians playing music by Latin American composers, local dance and music performers, and interactive arts, culture, and resource stations around the park.
Brilliant Detroit Southwest Musical Experience
DATE/TIME: To be announced (rescheduled from June 26 due to inclement weather)
LOCATION: Brilliant Detroit Southwest: 5638 Larkins St, Detroit, MI 48210 (Bridging Communities Stage Across from Brilliant Detroit)
DESCRIPTION: This event has been co-created with Brilliant Detroit families and staff. The first half of the event will feature performances and instrument demonstrations from DSO musicians. The second half will feature interactive music education activities and cultural performances by Brilliant Detroit children.
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 organization. In January 2020, Italian conductor Jader Bignamini was named the DSO’s next music director to commence with the 2020-2021 season. Conductor Leonard Slatkin, who concluded a decade-long tenure at the helm in 2018, now serves as the DSO’s Music Director Laureate. 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 the world’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, Orchestra Hall celebrated its centennial in 2019-2020. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in eight 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.