Annual Report 2006 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Educating“Music education will not only enhanceacademic achievement and provideenjoyment, it will also sustain thehumanism in all of us, serving as abeacon in the life journey.”—Dr. Clyde Wu, DSO board memberand Education Committee chair,and his wife Helen“The educationand theprograms ofthe DetroitSymphony areknown aroundthe nation andbeyond for theinvaluableexperiences they bring to children andtheir families. With the dedicationof enlightened individuals who tookthe initiative to bring music to thecommunity, these programs willcontinue to bring invaluable impact tothe lives of people whom they touch.”— Midori, violinist“I am humbled to be apart of the DSO’s ongoingeffort to impact the livesof young people throughmusic and education.Whether it’s witnessingthe amazement of childrenhearing the orchestra for the first timeor experiencing a performance by youngmusicians who train with us each week,I am deeply inspired by our work.”—Warren Williams, AssistantDirector of Education, DSOmusic and other musical genres are the National CityYoung People’s Concert Series, for children ages 6 andolder, and the Tiny Tots Series, sponsored by the HenryFord II Fund, for little ones ages 3 to 6. Thomas Wilkinsleads the six-concert YPC series in Orchestra Hall, whichshared the theme “The Inventor’s Workshop: A MusicalLook at Creativity and Ingenuity.” The Tiny Tots seriespresented five Michigan-area ensembles performingclassical, rock, jazz, folk and world music. The 2005-06season also launched “KidZone” for young concertgoers,taking place prior to performances in the atriumlobby of The Max and featuring games, arts & crafts,an instrument petting zoo, and the chance to meetmembers of the DSO and Maestro Wilkins.The DSO’s Civic Youth Ensembles Program, whichprovides Southeast Michigan students with world-classtraining and performance opportunities, grew onceagain in 2005-06. A record number of 450 students,ages 8 to 24, from more than 60 different schools,Thomas Wilkins instructs Civic Youth Ensemble membersparticipated infive differentclassical andthree jazzensembles,a chambermusicprogram,Felix Resnick coaches DSA studentsand, new thisseason, a “Strings Preparatory Ensemble” for beginningstring students. Civic students rehearsed weekly andparticipated in master classes or master rehearsals withgreat classical and jazz artists including Midori, ChickCorea, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra saxophonist WessAnderson, and conductors Lawrence Renes, Yan PascalTortelier, Nicholas McGegan, Hugh Wolff and JoAnnFalletta.The DSO African-American Fellowship Programwas pleased to welcome bassoonist Michael Boatengin 2005-06. Since 1990, theprogram has annually offeredan instrumental fellowship foradvanced study and professionalperformance experience. Fellowsperform with the Orchestra for aperiod of one to two years, andreceive individual coaching andtraining in audition techniquesfrom DSO members. Theprogram boasts an impressivetrack record of launchingsuccessful careers – of the 10alumni, nine of them currentlyoccupy posts with professionalorchestras.www.detroitsymphony.com