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Devoted to promoting a life-long enthusiasm for music, Thomas Wilkins brings energy and commitment to audiences of all ages. He is hailed as a master at communicating and connecting with audiences.

 


DSO "Classical Roots" celebration coming March 7

DETROIT - The Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Classical Roots Concert Series continues to be one of the “Grand Celebrations” in Midtown Detroit. This exciting event has been a celebrated tradition at Orchestra Hall for 37 years. The DSO's annual Classical Roots concert series was established to increase awareness of the extraordinary contributions of African-American classical composers and musicians. This year, once again the series will be led by Resident Conductor Thomas Wilkins who will conduct the DSO in works by some of the most distinguished African-American composers.

“The Classical Roots Celebration may only happen once a year, but the spirit behind it is something we want to work toward recognizing year-round,” said Celebration Co-Chair Ellen Hill Zeringue. “Kicking off festivities in February during Black History Month is a great way to make strides toward that goal.”

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s (DSO) 15th Annual Classical Roots Celebration will honor two well respected community icons who have played very important roles within the DSO family, and the city of Detroit since the era of the Civil Rights Movement: DSO violinist Joseph Striplin and the Honorable Damon J. Keith. The concerts will take place on Friday, March 6 at 10:45 a.m. and Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m. The black tie celebration is presented in conjunction with the Saturday performance only. The Classical Roots Celebration is presented by JPMorgan Chase.

Black History Month presents a wonderful opportunity for everyone to learn new things, expand our knowledge and grow. The Classical Roots weekend offers all of the above. You will hear music by George Walker, the famous Composer.
George Walker became the first black composer to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1996. Walker’s Violin Concerto will be performed by his son Gregory Walker.

Thomas Wilkins, Music Director of the Omaha Symphony and Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, will lead the DSO in a program that also features excerpts from Duke Ellington’s Black, Brown and Beige Suite, Adolphus Hailstork’s Symphony No. 1 and a selection of spirituals sung by the Brazeal Dennard Choir.

And, the 2015 Classical Roots Celebration honorees both bring a wealth of history to the program. Joseph Striplin became the first African American musician to join the DSO in 1972. A unique position that dates from the Civil Rights Movement to today. His position offers an opportunity to share how African Americans’ role in classical music has changed in the last 40 years and what progress still needs to be made. Today, Striplin is still just one of three African American musicians on the DSO roster.

He began musical studies in the Detroit Public Schools. A student of former DSO violinist Jack Boesen, Striplin is a graduate of Cass Technical High School and Wayne State University. In 1968, he performed as a soloist with the DSO in a Detroit Discovery concert and served as an extra musician with the Orchestra. Striplin was also the conductor for the DOS’s “Music Connection” Community Concert the first of its kind held at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church last year. The concert was a collaboration with the DSO and Detroit Public Schools. It was an opportunity to expose more Detroit Public School students to Classical Music; an overwhelming number of DPS students are unable to get to the DSO, so the DSO came to the community.

Willie McAllister Detroit Public Schools Director of Fine Arts commented, “The success of Detroit Public schools is heavily predicated in the arts. Academics only deal with part of the student. Educating the whole person is important, and music is vital to the student’s creativity, and it also teaches discipline. Studies prove that students involved in music score 37% higher on standardized tests, and colleges are more willing to accept students with a music background. Music is vital to the whole child.”



The Honorable Damon J. Keith (past Classical Roots Honorary Chair) was born in Detroit on July 4th and this year will celebrate his 93rd Birthday. He has served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit since 1977. Prior to joining the Court of Appeals, Judge Keith served on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, at the Michigan Civil Rights Commission and as a member of the U.S. Army. For nearly 50 years, Judge Keith has persuasively defended the Constitution, helping communities enforce their civil rights. He continues to a strong voice in the community.

Dr. Charles G. Adams, Pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church comments, “Judge Keith has strengthened our democracy, expanded our rights and affirmed our people, particularly those who suffered any form of exclusion or mistreatment.”

And, last week he held his 38th annual Soul Food Luncheon in his chambers, and if you can think of any community leader or corporate leader they were there, including both publishers of Detroit’s two major daily newspapers; Paul Anger, Detroit Free Press Publisher and Jonathan Wolman, Detroit News Editor & Publisher. They all came out to honor this Judicial Giant.

You don’t want to miss this extraordinary evening. Co-chairing the 2015 Classical Roots Celebration are Jason Tinsley and Ellen Hill Zeringue with the support of more than 30 other Detroit-area citizens and corporate leaders.

“JPMorgan Chase is proud to be the presenting sponsor of Classical Roots once again, and I am both humbled and excited to serve as this year’s co-chair,” said Jason Tinsley. “This fantastic event has celebrated the contributions of African Americans to classical music for 37 years, and with Thomas Wilkins conducting and leading a George Walker piece, March 7th promises to be a night we won’t soon forget.”

The Celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Max M. Fisher Music Center with a strolling dinner in The Music Box featuring performances by the DSO Civic Jazz Ensemble, followed by the “Classical Roots” concert at 8 p.m. in Orchestra Hall. Following the concert, guests are invited to a dancing and dessert afterglow in the Atrium and The Music Box.

DSO’s Classical Roots Concerts tickets range from $15 to $50, box seats are limited at $100. Tickets are available at the Max M. Fisher Music Center box office, or call (313) 576-5111; or online at dso.org. For group tickets contact Chuck Dyer at (313) 576-5130 or cdyer@dso.org.

Classical Roots Celebration tickets include the reception and strolling dinner, the Classical Roots performance and the post-concert dancing and dessert, start at $175. All tickets include valet parking. Sponsorship opportunities ranging from $3,600-$10,000 are also available. For more information call Karly Sherwood at 313-576-5100 or ksherwood@dso.org.
 

 

 
   
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