The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is set to enchant audiences with the 46th annual Classical Roots concerts at Orchestra Hall. Taking place on Friday, March 1, at 10:45 a.m., and Saturday, March 2, at 8 p.m., these performances promise a celebration of talent, dedication, and innovation in the world of classical music.
A highlight of the event will be the 23rd annual Arthur L. Johnson – Honorable Damon Jerome Keith Classical Roots Celebration on March 2. During this celebration, the DSO will pay tribute to the remarkable contributions of Grammy Award-winning composer and jazz pianist Billy Childs, as well as the longstanding commitment of DSO Board member Shirley Stancato. The event will also shine a spotlight on poet, playwright, performance artist, and producer jessica Care moore, who will receive the Marlowe Stoudamire Award for Innovation and Community Collaboration. This prestigious award is presented in memory of the late Detroit community leader Marlowe Stoudamire.
Classical Roots is a platform that honors African American composers, musicians, educators, and leaders for their lifetime achievements. More than a celebration of musical excellence, these concerts serve as fundraisers to support the DSO’s African American music and musician development programs.
The distinguished performances will be conducted by Na’Zir McFadden, DSO Assistant Conductor and Phillip and Lauren Fisher Community Ambassador. The Brazeal Dennard Chorale, a vital component of Classical Roots since its inception, will be led by Artistic Director Alice McAllister Tillman, opening both concerts with the powerful anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a tradition dating back to the event’s inauguration in 1978.
Among the captivating works to be performed are Billy Childs’s new Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra titled “Diaspora,” Adolphus Hailstork’s “Fanfare on Amazing Grace,” Duke Ellington’s “Lake” from The River, and Shelley Washington’s “Both.” Childs’s “Diaspora” was co-commissioned by the DSO and is dedicated to saxophonist Steven Banks, who will deliver a compelling performance exploring various aspects of the African American experience in America.
The program also features Shelley Washington’s “Both,” commissioned as part of the Amplifying Voices program, an initiative fostering collaboration and collective action between US orchestras and composers toward racial and gender equity in classical music.
The March 1 concert will be broadcast and streamed live on 90.9 WRCJ in Detroit and a network of stations across Michigan. The March 2 performance will be webcast for free at dso.org and via Facebook Live as part of the DSO’s Live from Orchestra Hall series.
The concerts mark the culmination of Classical Roots educational and community offerings. Prior to the March 1 morning concert, the DSO will host a student workshop with Detroit cellist, music educator, and WRCJ 90.9 FM host Cecelia Sharpe to engage students in a discussion on the program’s content.
Tickets for all events can be purchased at dso.org or by calling the Box Office at 313.576.5111, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with tickets for the March 1 and 2 Classical Roots concerts starting at $19. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Classical Roots and support the vibrant musical community curated by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
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