Annual Report 2006 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra

In March, The Max was chosen among 11 U.S. cities tohost the “Song of America” tour presented by the Library ofCongress. Honoring the history and preservation of Americansong, internationally acclaimed baritone Thomas Hampsonperformed a recital of music culled from the Library’sunparalleled collection of musical scores and recordings.Adding to the depth of the tour was a special exhibit of raredocuments from the Library, including many Detroit-specificitems. Area teachers had the opportunity to explore thelegacy of American song and poetry in a Library of Congressworkshop presented by the DSO and Oakland University.Hampson attended the workshop, and also gave a masterclass to vocal students at the Detroit School of Arts.The summer of 2006 brought the second year ofpartnership between the DSO and Concert of Colors Festivalpresented by the Arab Community Center for Economic andSocial Services (ACCESS) and New Detroit, Inc. Concert ofColors is dedicated to bringing diverse communities andethnic groups together through the presentation of musicalacts from 20 different countries. This free, three-day worldmusic festival brought more than 20,000 people to midtownDetroit, many of them visiting The Max for the first time.The 2006 festival also presented a one-day “Forum onCommunity, Culture and Race” exploring the idea that greaterunderstanding of these topics can strengthen and redevelopcommunities. Guest speakers included Georges Collinet, hostof Afro Pop Worldwide.During the summer, the DSO engaged communities in avariety of Michigan locales: Greenfield Village at The HenryFord, Huron-Clinton Metroparks, and Interlochen Center forthe Arts. At Interlochen, the “All Amadeus” concerts deliveredan audience of nearly 2,200. At home in Detroit, the Orchestraperformed a free concert at the Detroit Festival of the Arts,the celebrated arts and entertainment event in the MidtownCultural Center. A performance presented by SynagogueCongregation Shaarey Zedek of Southfield featured thecantata “Liberation,” composed by Cantor Meir Finkelstein.Leading the orchestra was internationally acclaimed conductorYoel Levi, and the DSO was joined by violin soloist IttaiShapira, five vocal soloists and two local choirs. Many of metroDetroit’s religious leaders participated in dramatic readingswhich introduced the work’s various movements.“I am proudto be arecipient ofthe LifetimeAchievementAward. Itwas an honor to make music onceagain with the great Detroit Symphonyand Orchestra Hall ranks amongmy favorite halls in which to sing— in the world! This ensemble isunique among our great Americanorchestras in TRULY reaching out tothe African-American community withits wide-ranging, dynamic artists andprogramming.”—Kathleen Battle, Soprano,Recipient of the DSO LifetimeAchievement Award 2006The DSO at Greenfield Village Poetry Slam The DSO at Metroparks“The ACCESS-DSOpartnership highlightsa shared commitmentto promote culturaldiversity throughmusic by bringingpeople together fromdiverse backgrounds,colors, and creeds. Joining forces astwo prominent Detroit institutions,we can provide artistic exposure toarea residents and visitors that couldnever be achieved individually.”—Ishmael Ahmed, ExecutiveDirector, Arab CommunityCenter for Economic and SocialServicesThe Civic Orchestra performs Verdi’s Requiemat Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament The DSO at Meadow Brook Music Festival The DSO at Festival of the Arts11