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Press Releases
DSO’S “Classical Roots” Concerts Present Regina Carter
DSO’S “CLASSICAL ROOTS” CONCERTS PRESENT REGINA CARTER
IN WORLD PREMIERE OF BILLY CHILDS’ VIOLIN CONCERTO
“Classical Roots” Gala Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Honors Composer Olly Wilson
DETROIT, (December 11, 2009) – Detroit native, MacArthur Fellow and world-renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter will give the World Premiere of a Violin Concerto written by William “Billy” Childs, the Grammy Award-winning composer and jazz pianist who received a Guggenheim Fellowship last spring. The work will be one of three compositions by contemporary African-American composers to be performed at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s 2010 “Classical Roots” concerts, which take place on Fri., Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 30 at 8:30 p.m. in Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center. Conducted by DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin, the program will also include Lumina by celebrated composer Olly Wilson, and Beyond Rivers of Vision by James Lee III, a 34-year-old native of St. Joseph, Michigan. Additionally, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, directed by Augustus Hill, will sing a set of a-cappella selections, and the performances will open with “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” by John Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson.
In addition to the two “Classical Roots” performances, the DSO will also host the “Classical Roots Celebration,” an elegant fundraising event, which will take place on Sat., Jan. 30. As part of the festivities Wilson is honored during the concert with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to classical music.
This much anticipated gala event raises awareness about the contributions of African-Americans to classical music and supports increased opportunities through special educational programs, such as the DSO's African-American Orchestral Fellowship Program, a mentoring opportunity for young professional musicians. The event also raises funds for recordings, such as the soon-to-be-released DSO CD Dear Mrs. Parks, which was performed at last year’s “Classical Roots” concerts and goes on sale Dec. 15, 2009.
The Celebration begins at 7 p.m. with a cocktail reception at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, followed by the “Classical Roots” concert at 8:30 p.m. Following the concert, guests are invited to a “dancing and dessert” afterglow. Co-chairing the Classical Roots Celebration are Christine Kageff and Rita L. Jordan with the support of more than 30 other Detroit-area citizens and corporate leaders committed to the Classical Roots mission. The Celebration is presented by lead sponsor JPMorgan Chase.
The DSO commission and performances of the Childs’ Violin Concerto was made possible in part by a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) and a $30,000 grant from the Multi-Arts Production (MAP) Fund. The work fuses the genres of jazz and orchestral music, reflecting the musical sensibilities of its composer and soloist, both of whom have been honored for their exceptional contributions to their fields and have been recognized for their unique work in melding jazz and classical music.
Billy Childs has long enjoyed a dual career as a jazz pianist and a composer. A Los Angeles native, he has received commissions from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the Monterey Jazz Festival, among others. As a performer, Childs began a solo jazz recording career in 1988 and has been nominated for eight Grammys and has won two. His receipt of the Guggenheim award last spring was in support of his work on “jazz chamber music.”
“The term ‘jazz-chamber’ is one that I feel best describes the intent of my group because it has, as its central concept, the symbiotic synthesis of America’s classical music, jazz and European classical chamber music,” said Childs. “The challenge lies in making the two disciplines (jazz and European classical) come together as a seamless, organic whole—essentially a new form of music.”
Like Childs, violinist Regina Carter has established a reputation for blurring the lines between jazz and classical music. Born and raised in Detroit, and a member of the DSO’s Civic Jazz Orchestra while in her teens, Carter was named a 2006 winner of the highly esteemed MacArthur Fellowship. She has performed with a who’s who of jazz giants, pop and R&B stars, and has released five CDs under her own name, including the classically-infused Paganini: After A Dream. The album was recorded after Carter became the first jazz musician and first African American to play the legendary Guarneri del Gesu violin owned by Nicolo Paganini, on which she performs on the CD. Carter and her touring band have performed with numerous orchestras including, the Atlanta Symphony, the Milwaukee Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra, as well as a special engagement with the Boston Pops featuring the violinists Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, representing classical music, and Eileen Ivers, a Celtic star.
Olly Wilson’s Lumina receives its DSO Premiere in these concerts, which was also made possible by the NEA grant. It is a one-movement work that explores the aural qualities of luminosity, according to the composer, who wrote the work in 1981. It was originally commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra, which also presented the work’s World Premiere that year. One of the country’s most eminent African-American composers, Wilson's works have been performed by major American orchestras such as the Atlanta, Baltimore, Saint Louis and Dallas Symphonies, along with such international ensembles as the Moscow Philharmonic, the Netherlands Philharmonic and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. He has received commissions from the Boston, Chicago, and Houston Symphonies, as well as the New York Philharmonic and is the recipient of many awards and honors.
Representing the newest generation of African-American composers on this program is James Lee III, who received his bachelor’s degree in piano and his master’s and doctorate degrees in composition from the University of Michigan. DSO audiences were introduced to Lee last season when Leonard Slatkin conducted the World Premiere of Lee’s A Different Soldier’s Tale. His composition on the “Classical Roots” program, Beyond Rivers of Vision is, according to the composer, “a three-movement work for orchestra focusing on various rivers in the Bible, the men located near those rivers and the visions connected with those men.” The work receives its DSO classical subscription debut in these concerts.
Founded in 1972, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale is a group of highly trained singers dedicated to developing the choral art to its highest professional level. Directed by Augustus Hill, the Chorale is deeply committed to the rediscovery and performance of significant choral works by African-American composers. The Chorale's yearly schedule includes concerts throughout the metro Detroit area. These "Ambassadors for Detroit" also accept numerous invitations to perform, as well as conduct, choral workshops at universities, churches, and notable choral music conventions across the United States.
Tickets for the DSO's Classical Roots Concerts range in price from $19 to $71 with a limited number of box seats available for $123. Tickets may be purchased at the Max M. Fisher Music Center box office (3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit); by phone at (313) 576-5111; or online at www.detroitsymphony.com. For group ticket information (groups of 10 or more), please contact Chuck Dyer at (313) 576-5130 or cdyer@dso.org.
The DSO is also pleased to announce its Family and Students Night on Friday, January 29, 2010. Attendees to this event will attend a pre-concert discussion with Music Director Leonard Slatkin and guest artist Regina Carter. Following the concert, there will be a Meet & Greet Reception with Leonard Slatkin, Regina Carter, and DSO Musicians. Family ticket packages for 4 start at $85. School group packages start at $1000 for 10 students.
Classical Roots Celebration tickets, which include the pre-concert reception, the Classical Roots performance and the dessert and dancing post-concert afterglow start at $150. All tickets include valet parking. Sponsorship opportunities ranging from $3,000-$10,000 are also available. For further information about individual tickets and sponsorships or to make a reservation, please contact Aja Grosvenor at (313) 576-5106 or agrosvenor@dso.org.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Strategic Staffing Solutions Preferred Classical Series CLASSICAL ROOTS: REGINA CARTER Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Regina Carter, violin; Brazeal Dennard Chorale Fri., Jan. 29 at 8 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 30 at 8:30 p.m. ROSAMOND & JOHNSON Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing OLLY WILSON Lumina JAMES LEE III Beyond Rivers of Vision BILLY CHILDS Violin Concerto (World Premiere) Fri., Jan. 29, 8 PM Sat., Jan. 30, 8:30 PM
Get the most out of each concert by attending Ford ConcerTalks, one hour prior to performances. ConcerTalks are informal and may include special guests, lectures and music that reveal interesting facts about the program and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the art of making music.
The Friday performance will be immediately followed by DSO Overtime featuring Music Director Leonard Slatkin as he leads the audience in a conversation and discussion about the evening’s program.
CLASSICAL ROOTS CELEBRATION The Max M. Fisher Music Center Sat., Jan. 30 7 p.m. Reception/The Music Box 8:30 p.m. Classical Roots Concert /Orchestra Hall 10:30 p.m. Dessert & Dancing Afterglow/The Music Box, Atrium Lobby
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“Classical Roots” Gala Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Honors Composer Olly Wilson
DETROIT, (December 11, 2009) – Detroit native, MacArthur Fellow and world-renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter will give the World Premiere of a Violin Concerto written by William “Billy” Childs, the Grammy Award-winning composer and jazz pianist who received a Guggenheim Fellowship last spring. The work will be one of three compositions by contemporary African-American composers to be performed at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s 2010 “Classical Roots” concerts, which take place on Fri., Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 30 at 8:30 p.m. in Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center. Conducted by DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin, the program will also include Lumina by celebrated composer Olly Wilson, and Beyond Rivers of Vision by James Lee III, a 34-year-old native of St. Joseph, Michigan. Additionally, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, directed by Augustus Hill, will sing a set of a-cappella selections, and the performances will open with “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” by John Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson.
In addition to the two “Classical Roots” performances, the DSO will also host the “Classical Roots Celebration,” an elegant fundraising event, which will take place on Sat., Jan. 30. As part of the festivities Wilson is honored during the concert with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to classical music.
This much anticipated gala event raises awareness about the contributions of African-Americans to classical music and supports increased opportunities through special educational programs, such as the DSO's African-American Orchestral Fellowship Program, a mentoring opportunity for young professional musicians. The event also raises funds for recordings, such as the soon-to-be-released DSO CD Dear Mrs. Parks, which was performed at last year’s “Classical Roots” concerts and goes on sale Dec. 15, 2009.
The Celebration begins at 7 p.m. with a cocktail reception at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, followed by the “Classical Roots” concert at 8:30 p.m. Following the concert, guests are invited to a “dancing and dessert” afterglow. Co-chairing the Classical Roots Celebration are Christine Kageff and Rita L. Jordan with the support of more than 30 other Detroit-area citizens and corporate leaders committed to the Classical Roots mission. The Celebration is presented by lead sponsor JPMorgan Chase.
The DSO commission and performances of the Childs’ Violin Concerto was made possible in part by a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) and a $30,000 grant from the Multi-Arts Production (MAP) Fund. The work fuses the genres of jazz and orchestral music, reflecting the musical sensibilities of its composer and soloist, both of whom have been honored for their exceptional contributions to their fields and have been recognized for their unique work in melding jazz and classical music.
Billy Childs has long enjoyed a dual career as a jazz pianist and a composer. A Los Angeles native, he has received commissions from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the Monterey Jazz Festival, among others. As a performer, Childs began a solo jazz recording career in 1988 and has been nominated for eight Grammys and has won two. His receipt of the Guggenheim award last spring was in support of his work on “jazz chamber music.”
“The term ‘jazz-chamber’ is one that I feel best describes the intent of my group because it has, as its central concept, the symbiotic synthesis of America’s classical music, jazz and European classical chamber music,” said Childs. “The challenge lies in making the two disciplines (jazz and European classical) come together as a seamless, organic whole—essentially a new form of music.”
Like Childs, violinist Regina Carter has established a reputation for blurring the lines between jazz and classical music. Born and raised in Detroit, and a member of the DSO’s Civic Jazz Orchestra while in her teens, Carter was named a 2006 winner of the highly esteemed MacArthur Fellowship. She has performed with a who’s who of jazz giants, pop and R&B stars, and has released five CDs under her own name, including the classically-infused Paganini: After A Dream. The album was recorded after Carter became the first jazz musician and first African American to play the legendary Guarneri del Gesu violin owned by Nicolo Paganini, on which she performs on the CD. Carter and her touring band have performed with numerous orchestras including, the Atlanta Symphony, the Milwaukee Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra, as well as a special engagement with the Boston Pops featuring the violinists Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, representing classical music, and Eileen Ivers, a Celtic star.
Olly Wilson’s Lumina receives its DSO Premiere in these concerts, which was also made possible by the NEA grant. It is a one-movement work that explores the aural qualities of luminosity, according to the composer, who wrote the work in 1981. It was originally commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra, which also presented the work’s World Premiere that year. One of the country’s most eminent African-American composers, Wilson's works have been performed by major American orchestras such as the Atlanta, Baltimore, Saint Louis and Dallas Symphonies, along with such international ensembles as the Moscow Philharmonic, the Netherlands Philharmonic and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. He has received commissions from the Boston, Chicago, and Houston Symphonies, as well as the New York Philharmonic and is the recipient of many awards and honors.
Representing the newest generation of African-American composers on this program is James Lee III, who received his bachelor’s degree in piano and his master’s and doctorate degrees in composition from the University of Michigan. DSO audiences were introduced to Lee last season when Leonard Slatkin conducted the World Premiere of Lee’s A Different Soldier’s Tale. His composition on the “Classical Roots” program, Beyond Rivers of Vision is, according to the composer, “a three-movement work for orchestra focusing on various rivers in the Bible, the men located near those rivers and the visions connected with those men.” The work receives its DSO classical subscription debut in these concerts.
Founded in 1972, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale is a group of highly trained singers dedicated to developing the choral art to its highest professional level. Directed by Augustus Hill, the Chorale is deeply committed to the rediscovery and performance of significant choral works by African-American composers. The Chorale's yearly schedule includes concerts throughout the metro Detroit area. These "Ambassadors for Detroit" also accept numerous invitations to perform, as well as conduct, choral workshops at universities, churches, and notable choral music conventions across the United States.
Tickets for the DSO's Classical Roots Concerts range in price from $19 to $71 with a limited number of box seats available for $123. Tickets may be purchased at the Max M. Fisher Music Center box office (3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit); by phone at (313) 576-5111; or online at www.detroitsymphony.com. For group ticket information (groups of 10 or more), please contact Chuck Dyer at (313) 576-5130 or cdyer@dso.org.
The DSO is also pleased to announce its Family and Students Night on Friday, January 29, 2010. Attendees to this event will attend a pre-concert discussion with Music Director Leonard Slatkin and guest artist Regina Carter. Following the concert, there will be a Meet & Greet Reception with Leonard Slatkin, Regina Carter, and DSO Musicians. Family ticket packages for 4 start at $85. School group packages start at $1000 for 10 students.
Classical Roots Celebration tickets, which include the pre-concert reception, the Classical Roots performance and the dessert and dancing post-concert afterglow start at $150. All tickets include valet parking. Sponsorship opportunities ranging from $3,000-$10,000 are also available. For further information about individual tickets and sponsorships or to make a reservation, please contact Aja Grosvenor at (313) 576-5106 or agrosvenor@dso.org.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Strategic Staffing Solutions Preferred Classical Series CLASSICAL ROOTS: REGINA CARTER Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Regina Carter, violin; Brazeal Dennard Chorale Fri., Jan. 29 at 8 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 30 at 8:30 p.m. ROSAMOND & JOHNSON Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing OLLY WILSON Lumina JAMES LEE III Beyond Rivers of Vision BILLY CHILDS Violin Concerto (World Premiere) Fri., Jan. 29, 8 PM Sat., Jan. 30, 8:30 PM
Get the most out of each concert by attending Ford ConcerTalks, one hour prior to performances. ConcerTalks are informal and may include special guests, lectures and music that reveal interesting facts about the program and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the art of making music.
The Friday performance will be immediately followed by DSO Overtime featuring Music Director Leonard Slatkin as he leads the audience in a conversation and discussion about the evening’s program.
CLASSICAL ROOTS CELEBRATION The Max M. Fisher Music Center Sat., Jan. 30 7 p.m. Reception/The Music Box 8:30 p.m. Classical Roots Concert /Orchestra Hall 10:30 p.m. Dessert & Dancing Afterglow/The Music Box, Atrium Lobby
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