DETROIT, Oct. 15, 2010 — The now-on-strike musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra have received an early Xmas present.
They will be joined for their Sunday, 3 p.m., October 24 concert at Christ Church Cranbrook (470 Church Rd., Bloomfield Hills) by at least a dozen (and still counting) musicians of the world-famous Cleveland Orchestra. The musicians are coming to play and express their support after a posting on the Cleveland Orchestra Musicians' website said, "The future of the venerable Detroit Symphony Orchestra, one of the country's great cultural institutions, is being threatened. The DSO musicians are on strike, protesting cuts that would severely jeopardize their standing among America's top orchestras … Advances in the quality and integrity of an institution that take decades to achieve can be done away with overnight … Please help us support the future of the DSO."
DSO cellist Haden McKay, speaking for the musicians, said, "Musicians and their supporters throughout the country are looking at the situation in Detroit as an effort by managements to open the door for downsizing all orchestras, nationally, as well as all cultural institutions."
The concert will feature Vivaldi's Four Seasons for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 8, Nos. 1-4, and Brahms' Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73.
Violin soloists will be DSO Associate Concertmaster Kimberly Ann Kaloyanides Kennedy; Elayna Duitman, formerly with the DSO, now with the Cleveland Orchestra; Sarah Crocker, formerly with the DSO, now with Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York; and Maestro Silverstein.
Maestro Silverstein, the soloists, all the musicians, the stage crews, and the volunteers are all donating their services to support the musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in their fight to save it as a world-class symphony orchestra.
Tickets, $20 and $50 for premium seating, will be available at the door or in advance at http://www.detroitsymphonymusicians.org or call the Ticket Hotline: (248) 860-6786.
CONTACT: News Desk at (248) 569-5400 ext. 28 or Email
Visit us at http://www.detroitsymphonymusicians.org
# # #