Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Detroit Symphony Orchestra receives $1 million gift for music education

Today the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) announced that Honda has given the institution over $1 million to create The Power of Dreams Music Education Fund

The Power of Dreams will help support and expand the DSO's nationally acclaimed music programs for young people, specifically by allowing the organization to focus on supporting the involvement of Detroit children. Honda will also support a campaign to promote public donations to the fund.

The five-year DSO/Honda partnership will include:

- Launching a new initiative called The Power of Dreams String Project to provide introductory music education and string training to children in metro-Detroit communities where opportunities are non-existent or unaffordable.

- Establishing The Power of Dreams Music Scholar program to provide private lessons to aspiring students with financial need in the String Project, DSO Civic Ensembles and the Detroit School of Arts (DSA), enabling them to fully develop their musical capabilities.

- Supporting DSO Civic Youth Ensemble performances; the DSO's educational partnership activities with the DSA; and the DSO's spring Educational Concert Series for metro area school children in April 2008 at Orchestra Hall at The Max.

- Supporting the 2008 Classical Roots Gala, a fundraiser for programs such as the DSO's African-American Fellowship Program.

- Sponsoring renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma's performance with the DSO in May 2008, as well as a special daytime educational event for students.

Honda will also help launch a public campaign to generate support for
The Power of Dreams Fund. To celebrate this new partnership and increase community awareness about it, Honda has invited DSO musicians and students to perform in the Honda exhibit at the Detroit Auto Show Charity Gala on Friday, January 18 between 6 and 8:30.

The public is encouraged to support the Power of Dreams Music Education Fund online here. Beginning February 11, donors of $100 or more to the fund will be eligible to win a variety of prizes including a Honda Accord EX-L V6 sedan, signed Yo-Yo Ma CDs, and tickets to the May 13 Yo-Yo Ma performance at The Max. 

About the DSO
Founded in 1914, the DSO performed the world's first radio broadcast of a symphony concert in February 1922. 

Thanks to funding provided by
General Motors, one million people tune into the DSO's nationwide broadcast, the "Mark of Excellence" radio series, each week. 

Every year nearly half a million people attend the DSO's live concerts, held at The Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit.

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