The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will spend the weekend highlighting Classical Roots, with some major names on hand to be part of the celebration.
The annual event, which honors African American musicians, composers, educators and leaders, will include three concerts. The DSO will perform Classical Roots Composer in Residence Quinn Mason’s “Toast of the Town — Overture” at 10:45 a.m. Friday, March 4, as part of a program that features pianist Lara Downes on a trio of Scott Joplin pieces and the Brazeal Dennard Chorale.
Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra team up with the DSO for a performance of the trumpeter’s “Swing Symphony” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 5-6. Saturday’s concert will honor Dr. Glenda Price, a member of the DSO’s board of directors and a community activist, as well as the late conductor Michael Morgan. It will also be webcast for free as part of the “Live From Orchestra Hall” series via dso.org and on the DSO Facebook site.
Friday’s concert, meanwhile, will be broadcast and streamed live on WRCJ-FM (90.9).
The weekend will also fete cellist Cole Randolph, who was a DSO African American Orchestra Fellow before joining the orchestra full-time this year.
Both concerts take place in Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-576-5111 or dso.org for tickets and other information.
