Board Leadership

LIFETIME MEMBERS

CHAIRS EMERITI

Samuel Frankel◊ Stanley Frankel David Handleman, Sr.◊ Dr. Arthur L. Johnson◊ James B. Nicholson Clyde Wu, M.D.◊

Peter D. Cummings Phillip Wm. Fisher Stanley Frankel

DIRECTORS EMERITI

Floy Barthel Chacona Baugh Penny B. Blumenstein John A. Boll, Sr. Richard A. Brodie Lois & Avern Cohn Marianne Endicott Sidney Forbes Ruth Frank Barbara Frankel Herman H. Frankel Dr. Gloria Heppner Ronald Horwitz Harold Kulish Bonnie Larson David McCammon David R. Nelson William F. Pickard, Ph.D. Marilyn Pincus Lloyd E. Reuss Marjorie S. Saulson Alan E. Schwartz Jane Sherman David Usher Barbara Van Dusen Arthur A. Weiss

OFFICERS

Mark A. Davidoff

Chair Anne Parsons

President & CEO David T. Provost

Treasurer

Robert S. Miller James B. Nicholson

Hon. Kurtis T. Wilder (Ret.)

Secretary Ralph J. Gerson

Officer at Large Faye Alexander Nelson

Officer at Large

Arthur T. O’Reilly

Officer at Large Glenda D. Price, Ph.D.

Officer at Large

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Directors are responsible for maintaining a culture of accountability, resource development, and strategic thinking. As fiduciaries, Directors oversee the artistic and cultural health and strategic direction of the DSO. Pamela Applebaum David Assemany

Governing Members Chair Elena Centeio Richard L. DeVore Samuel Fogleman Aaron Frankel Herman B. Gray, M.D.,

M.B.A. Rev. Nicholas Hood III Richard Huttenlocher Renato Jamett

Trustee Chair Daniel J. Kaufman Michael J. Keegan Arthur C. Liebler Xavier Mosquet Stephen R. Polk Jay Ritchie

Orchestra Representative

Bernard I. Robertson Camilo Serna Shirley Stancato Nancy Tellem James G. Vella Dr. M. Roy Wilson David M. Wu, M.D. Johanna Yarbrough

Orchestra Representative

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MAESTRO CIRCLE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

GOVERNING MEMBERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Renato Jamett, Chair Trustees are a diverse group of community leaders who infuse creative thinking and innovation into how the DSO strives to achieve both artistic vitality and organizational sustainability.

Ismael Ahmed Richard Alonzo Hadas Bernard Janice Bernick Elizabeth Boone Gwen Bowlby Marco Bruzzano Margaret Cooney Casey Karen Cullen Joanne Danto Stephen R. D’Arcy Maureen T. D’Avanzo Jasmin DeForrest Afa Sadykhly Dworkin Peter Falzon James C. Farber Carolynn Frankel Christa Funk Robert Gillette Jody Glancy Malik Goodwin Mary Ann Gorlin Laura Hernandez-Romine Donald Hiruo

Michelle Hodges Julie Hollinshead John Jullens David Karp Joel D. Kellman Jennette Smith Kotila William Lentine Linda Dresner Levy Florine Mark Anthony McCree Kristen McLennan Lydia Michael Lois A. Miller Daniel Millward H. Keith Mobley Scott Monty Shari Morgan Sandy Morrison Frederick J. Morsches Jennifer Muse, NextGen Chair Nicholas Myers, Musician Representative Sean M. Neall Eric Nemeth Maury Okun Vivian Pickard Gerrit Reepmeyer Richard Robinson James Rose, Jr. Laurie Rosen Elana Rugh Marc Schwartz Carlo Serraiocco Lois L. Shaevsky Mary Shafer Cathryn M. Skedel, Ph.D. Richard Sonenklar Scott Strong, Musician Representative Rob Tanner Yoni Torgow Laura J. Trudeau Gwen Weiner Donnell White Jennifer Whitteaker R. Jamison Williams Margaret E. Winters Ellen Hill Zeringue

Cecilia Benner Bonnie Larson Janet & Norm Ankers, Chairs Joanne Danto Lois Miller

Gregory Haynes Richard Sonenklar

David Assemany, Chair

Suzanne Dalton Maureen T. D’Avanzo

Judy Doyle James C. Farber Diana Golden

Marcia Hiruo Samantha Svoboda

SIGHTLINES: Jader Bignamini puts his Vision into Motion

by Sarah Smarch

“The music director is really in charge of defining the orchestra’s sound. I think Jader’s dynamism plays into what we want to do and

what we can do in this hall.” —Assistant Principal Timpani and Percussion Jay Ritchie

As the Detroit Symphony Orchestra returns to in-person concerts this season, DSO Music Director Jader Bignamini is establishing his vision at the helm of the orchestra.

The orchestra is ready to take this journey.

“Jader has clear, specific ideas about where he wants to take us artistically— and he is wasting no time in leading us in that direction,” says cellist Úna O’Riordan. “He is not afraid to take risks and try new things to achieve his goals, and those are some of the essential qualities of a great leader. The orchestra has a lot of faith in Jader’s artistic vision.”

Jader makes a point of conducting performances from memory without a score on the podium. He stresses interaction and eye contact with the orchestra, enhancing his connection with the musicians, and the orchestra’s connection with the music.

To help the musicians connect with Jader’s visual cues and eye contact, the DSO is, for the first time in decades, staging its musicians on risers this season.

“The contact between the musicians during concerts has to be like breathing,” says Jader. “Being raised, there will be no barriers between the woodwinds, the percussion, and the strings and they will be able to play in a much more natural way.”

Principal Trumpet Hunter Eberly is excited about the change. “Visual cues are huge from a conductor,” he says. “With Jader doing everything by memory he is very connected to the orchestra, whether it is small glances or large gestures, he is always communicating with us. For those of us in the back of the orchestra, these improved sight lines will help us catch those cues, build our understanding of what his expectations are, and build a strong musical connection.”

For all that, the risers will take some getting used to. “This is a little bit of a leap of faith for us, as most members of the orchestra have not used risers here in Orchestra Hall,” says Úna.

The risers were meticulously crafted by West End Studios in Delray, Detroit. The build was important, as was the wood that was used—maple—to ensure that the sound reflects off the risers in the same way that it does from Orchestra Hall’s stage. Prior to construction, the DSO’s Stage Crew built a to-scale model of the hall’s stage and the many different-size risers to help visualize the various layouts for different types of programming. (For example, a Mozart symphony versus a Mahler symphony— Mahler calls for a much larger orchestra.) The orchestra’s Artistic Advisory Committee was consulted, and the pieces were moved around the model, arranged and rearranged by the many hands who wanted to get a feel for this new way of playing.

Orchestra Hall is known for its impeccable acoustics, so ensuring the musicians’ sounds can make the best use of their beloved space was also a consideration for Jader when implementing the change.

There is no “try before you buy,” Úna says, since the risers must be custom-built. “It will be interesting to experience the change in balance between the various sections of the orchestra—the brass and woodwinds (now on risers) will be much higher, above the strings. It should make it easier for the orchestra to achieve greater dynamic control and play together.”

So how will this seating change affect the audience’s concert-going experience?

“With this new setup of the orchestra, I am sure the audience will have the feeling of being even closer to our musicians wherever they are seated in the hall,” Jader says. “They will be able to see all our players and hear them very brightly. Plus, the sound will be perfectly balanced. We have a great orchestra hall, and I believe this is the best way to bring out its acoustics to the fullest.”

Orchestra Hall’s new risers under construction at West End Studios in Delray, Detroit. Photo by Sarah Smarch

While Jader’s decision is focused on live performance, audiences at home will welcome the improved camera angles in the DSO’s Live from Orchestra Hall webcasts, which will make it easier to see the percussion, horns, and other musicians that sit toward the back of the stage.

Jader is also taking a deep dive into fresh programming this season. Together with orchestra Vice President and General Manager Erik Rönmark, Jader is working to balance time-tested works that speak to the resilience of the human spirit in challenging times, while amplifying the voices of people of color and women composers and highlighting new music.

“Contemporary music is so important for a symphony orchestra,” says Jader. “Music and art are like people’s thinking, which continues to develop and change. Music anticipates our way of thinking and that’s why we must support contemporary music—it’s our future. And remember that all music was contemporary music at one time.”

The orchestra is not just preparing for a metaphorical journey with Jader as its new leader, but a literal one as well. For the first time in almost five years, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will go on tour, playing four concerts in Florida—in Miami, West Palm Beach, Gainesville, and Sarasota—this January.

“A great orchestra has the task of performing and spreading great music,” Jader says, explaining why the DSO is going on tour. “When you are on tour, you experience strong emotions all together, and the pride of being part of an orchestra like the DSO will charge our musicians. All together, we will be able to create musical moments of the highest level that will make us all grow musically and as people.

“I know that Detroit is so proud to have an orchestra of this level, and we will be extremely happy to bring Detroit to the world. The tour program will show the high technical level of the orchestra. It will be a time of growth and pride for all of us.” n

Join the DSO with family and friends at these holiday concerts

PNC POPS TITLE SPONSOR:

PARADISE

SERIES

DIANNE REEVES: CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE

Fri., Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.

Dianne Reeves is one of the preeminent jazz vocalists in the world today. She rings in the holiday season with music from her celebrated album, Christmas Time Is Here. Renowned for her breathtaking virtuosity and improvisational prowess, Reeves will warm your heart with holiday cheer.

MADE POSSIBLE WITH SUPPORT FROM Stuart Chafetz, conductor Michael Preacely, vocalist Fri., Dec. 17 at 10:45 & 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m. Sun., Dec. 19 at 3 p.m

Share Detroit’s favorite holiday musical tradition with family and friends and thrill to the spectacle of the season. Stuart Chafetz returns to lead a sparkling celebration with carols and classics that sells out year after year – and yes, Virginia, there will be a Santa Claus!

DSO PRESENTS HOME ALONE IN CONCERT

Scott Terrell, conductor Wed., Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy one of the most beloved holiday films of all time projected on a giant screen in stunning high definition, accompanied by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra! Relive John Hughes’s charming and hilarious story about family, with John Williams’s captivating score and the young Macaulay Culkin, who captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.