Musicians of DSO to Perform with L'Anse Creuse North Choir

Although the Detroit Symphony Orchestra strike continues, music enthusiasts can still see the musicians of the DSO at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 when they join the choir for a special concert in Clinton Township.

Led by choral director Evey Simon, L’Anse Creuse North’s Select Ensemble will join musicians of the DSO in performing a variety of classical works.

“The students are very excited,” Simon said. “(Performing with professional musicians) helps them step it up. They all know that we all have high standards but when they know it is a different audience, then they themselves know they have to step up their performance.”

The groups will join musical force during the first half of the concert to perform two movements from French composer Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem.

“It’s very important for the future of classical music, No. 1, to get the kids involved with it and see what they like,” said Karl Pituch, principal horn for the DSO. “Even if they don’t get involved when they’re older, they’ll still be classical music fans.”

Pituch said whether he and his associates perform as the DSO or as the musicians of the DSO, giving back to the community through music will remain a priority.

“We enjoy working with the kids,” Pituch said. “Most of us remember our first coaching with some professional musician and this is our way to give back.”

For the second half of the concert, the musicians of the DSO will take the stage alone to perform the Mendelssohn Italian Symphony.

Other selections for the evening’s program include Pachelbel's Canon for strings, and arrangements of Michael Row Your Boat Ashore and I Will Carry Your Heart, the poem by E.E. Cummings set to music.

“This choir has been put up to the task of participating in some major events back-to-back,” Simon said. “They are expected do their finals, get good grades and step up to their requirements. These kids are really going beyond what people expect.”

Prior to the Feb. 8 concert, the Select Ensemble will compete in the Solo & Ensemble Festival and join 400 other choir students in the district for an intensive three-day workshop with the Young Americans, a traveling group of singers, dancers and actors who teach different aspects of performance.

While the Feb. 8 concert is not free, it will benefit the L’Anse Creuse Foundation, as the musicians of the DSO will donate a portion of the event’s proceeds to the nonprofit group to support the district’s students and programs.

“We welcome the musicians of the DSO to Macomb County for this special performance,” said Dr. DiAnne Pellerin, L’Anse Creuse superintendent. “We strongly believe that the arts play an important role in our students’ education.”

The concert starts at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the John Armstrong Performing Arts Center, 24600 F.V. Pankow Blvd. in Clinton Township.

Seats in the Gold Circle are $50 each and reserved seating is $25 per ticket. Tickets are on sale now at the JAPAC box office or by calling (586) 783-6520.