The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will perform five free community concerts this fall to kick off their new season at venues across Southeast Michigan, presented by DTE Energy Foundation.
The programs will be conducted by Na’Zir McFadden, who was announced this spring as the DSO’s next Assistant Conductor and Phillip and Lauren Fisher Community Ambassador, to commence with the 2022-2023 season. McFadden will also serve as Music Director of the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra.
McFadden will lead the orchestra in a program of music by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Georges Bizet, Camille Saint-Saëns, Johann Strauss, Sr., and Gioachino Rossini, plus works from composers John Williams (Darth Vader’s Theme from Star Wars) and Dai Wei (The Dancing Moonlight).
For more than 50 years the DTE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy, has supported the DSO and its cultural programs. The organization is proud to once again partner with the orchestra to bring music to diverse communities throughout Southeast Michigan.
“Arts enrich communities and foster cultural awareness, and it’s important for everyone to have access to these experiences. The DTE Foundation is excited to support the DSO, which celebrates the role the arts play in making our community more inviting and connected,” said Lynette Dowler, president of the DTE Foundation. “This is a unique opportunity that brings world class talent to neighborhoods across Southeast Michigan for everyone to enjoy.”
2022 DTE Community Concerts:
- FARMINGTON HILLS on Thursday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. at The HAWK—Farmington Hills Community Center
- DETROIT on Friday, September 23 at 10:45 a.m. at Greater Grace Temple
- WATERFORD on Friday, September 23 at 8 p.m. at Waterford Mott High School
- YPSILANTI on Saturday, September 24 at 8 p.m. in Pease Auditorium at Eastern Michigan University
- Sunday, September 25 at 3 p.m. – Venue to be announced
“Our free community concerts are a celebrated tradition,” said DSO President and CEO Erik Rönmark. “We are grateful to the DTE Foundation for their continued partnership and look forward to gathering again this fall to kick-off our new season and share in the joy of music with our community. Just as we love welcoming audiences to Orchestra Hall, we value our commitment to accessibility and are pleased to present world-class performances in venues across the region, led by the incredible Na’Zir McFadden, who we are delighted to welcome to Detroit.”
All five concerts are free and open to the public, yet reservations are required for entry. Tickets can be reserved now at dso.org. All concerts are general admission (no seats will be assigned), and all seating is first-come, first-served. All concert venues are handicap accessible.
Safety polices: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has adjusted health and safety policies ahead of the 2022-23 season. The DSO will no longer require audiences to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to attend performances. Masks are optional although strongly recommended at DSO performances, particularly when Wayne County and surrounding communities are in the high or “red” category as defined by the CDC. The only DTE Community Concert exception to the mask policy is Greater Grace Temple, where masks will be required for all in attendance. The DSO asks all audience members to do their part to create a safe environment for everyone and encourages those who are not feeling well to not attend performances. Those with questions may contact the DSO Box Office at 313.576.5111 or tickets@dso.org.
Concert Schedule and Program Details
Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
The HAWK—Farmington Hills Community Center
29995 W 12 Mile Rd
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Friday, September 23, 2022 at 10:45 a.m.
Greater Grace Temple
23500 W Seven Mile Rd
Detroit, MI 48219
Friday, September 23, 2022 at 8 p.m.
Waterford Mott High School
1151 Scott Lake Rd
Waterford Township, MI 48328
Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 8 p.m.
Pease Auditorium at Eastern Michigan University
494 College Place
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Sunday, September 25, 2022 at 3 p.m.
Venue to be announced
Na’Zir McFadden, conductor
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY Polonaise from Eugene Onegin, Op. 24
SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR Danse nègre from African Suite, Op. 35
GEORGES BIZET Farandole from L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2
DAI WEI The Dancing Moonlight
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY Suite from The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66a (IV. Panorama)
CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah
JOHANN STRAUSS, SR. Radetzky March, Op. 228
GIOACHINO ROSSINI Overture to Guillaume Tell (William Tell) (Finale)
JOHN WILLIAMS Star Wars Suite for Orchestra (The Imperial March [Darth Vader’s Theme])