Metro-Detroiters celebrated two nights of a powerful and soul-touching performances. The Classical Roots concerts took place on Friday, March 3 at 10:45 a.m. (a morning concert) and Saturday, March 4 at 8 p.m.
The 2023 Arthur L. Johnson – Honorable Damon Jerome Keith Classical Roots Celebration featured the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, bass-baritone Davóne Tines, clarinetist Anthony McGill, poet Jessica Care moore. It was all led by Na’Zir McFadden, DSO’s Assistant Conductor and Phillip and Lauren Fisher community Ambassador.
“This just shows what this city has done to support African American composers,” said Erik Rönmark, DSO President and CEO. “When you look at the city itself and the orchestra and the way it has championed composers in the past, it’s just really impressive.”
Rönmark states the legacy the orchestra has in championing work by Black composers is something that is really “embedded in our DNA.”
He notes as much as great a night(s) the Classical Roots is annually for the orchestra, it’s not just something to be noted for once a year but instead inclusivity wrapped within its programming all year long.
“It’s what we want a orchestra in the 21st century to be, a reflection of its community.”
The early March weekend marked the 45th classical roots concert and 22nd celebration. The event honored Dr. Charles G Adams, a Detroit minister, educator and community civil rights leader who spent his life in music.
“We want to pay homage to composers and community leaders who meant so much to support what orchestra and music means for our community really mean,” Rönmark says. “It’s what these evenings are all about when you highlight artist and community leaders who really understand the value of arts, music, and culture and what it does for a city.”
The night also honored a local educator and trumpeter who taught through DSO’s Civic Youth Ensembles and now giving back of his time to youth musicians.
“To be here receiving this honor is incredible,” said Kris Johnson, presented with the Marlowe Stoudamire Award for Innovation and Community Collaboration. “It’s always important to honor African American musicians as a whole, I specifically think classical music. I think it’s what other organizations may over look, but the music we see on stage here at the DSO is first rate.”
The Marlowe Stoudamire Award for Innovation and Community is presented annually. The late Stoudamire helped steer the Classical Roots mission and was a part of DSO’s Steering Committee where he brought creativity and inspiration for six years.
Anthony Davis was also honored, a composer, artist and pianist who captures audiences with his inspirations in relation to historical injustices.
“Classical Roots is such a historical phenomenon,” said Lawrence Matthews, an attendee and local opera singer. “As a Detroit and singer I was always encouraged to visit and being here, it was breathtaking. The variety and style of music, having the composer here was amazing to see him in the flesh and talk about how important it is for Black people to show up and be visible and it was on stage.”
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