OUR COMMUNITY
A Note-Worthy Cause Community members and musicians team up to seek donations of instruments for 2,500 Detroit schoolkids. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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arold Kulish and George Nyman — longtime friends sharing an appreciation for hearing music and playing musical instruments — have become focused on providing similar experiences for young people. They’re hoping Metro Detroiters will join them in creating opportunities along those lines, especially throughout October. An idea they had two years ago and communicated to administrators at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) spurred the development of Detroit Harmony, an initiative to provide instruments and teach instrumental skills to Detroit K-12 students in public and private schools. Throughout this month, there will be an inaugural drive for 2,500 instru-
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OCTOBER 21 • 2021
ments, new and used. Organizations and businesses have responded by offering drop-off sites. The highlight will be Oct. 30 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, where the Michigan State University’s Spartan Marching Band and the University of Michigan’s Michigan Marching Band play up collection efforts as football fans attend that day’s game. The schools plan to publicize the event on their social media. “We couldn’t be prouder to support Detroit Harmony,” said U-M Band Director John Pasquale. “Music is such a powerful force in the John world, and we look forPasquale ward to collecting instru-
ments to provide to Detroit students.” David Thornton, associate band director at MSU, said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with DSO, Harmony and the Michigan Marching David Band to help the students Thornton of Detroit. Providing musical opportunities and experiences for our greater Michigan community is something that is incredibly important and is at the core of what we do as an organization.” The DSO is passionate about music education, according to Erik Rönmark, DSO vice president and general manager. “It’s great to see this art form continue. Music education is so important in finding ways for young people to express themselves through instru-
