SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — Northern Michigan and Ontario residents and summertime visitors will get a sneak preview of Lake Superior State University's new arts center on July 22 when the Detroit Symphony Orchestra comes to town.
The DSO, conducted by Thomas Wilkins, will be the first group to perform in the arts center that was completed this summer and will open to the public in 2005.
Performance time is 8 p.m. Tickets, $20 each, are general admission. Earlier in the day, at 4:30 p.m., the DSO's Ambassador Quintet will present an hour-long, free children's program. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Groups are welcome.
The Thursday evening appearance is part of the DSO's northern Michigan tour that will include stops in Escanaba and Iron Mountain. The Sault Ste. Marie program will feature both classical and contemporary selections.
“This preview event will be a fine demonstration of the kind of events and excellent quality programs that we will be able to bring to the public in our new arts center,“ said Prof. Gary Balfantz, LSSU professor of English. “We're happy that the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will be the first performance in the auditorium and we're sure those in the audience will be pleased as well. The auditorium is outstanding. The acoustics are fantastic.”
Due to the generosity of an anonymous benefactor, LSSU will be able to offer a special children's performance, “Fiddlin' Around with the Ambassador Quintet,” on the same day as the full orchestra performance. Area children are invited to meet this group of DSO musicians whose goal is to introduce their music to youth. The Ambassador Quintet began performing for school children in the metro Detroit area in 1998. Members engage the audience with lively narration and light, entertaining musical selections.
This will be the DSO's first performance in the U.P. since 1991. The orchestra played the U.P. annually from 1974-91 but discontinued the tour due to budget restrictions.
The summer tour is sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, longtime DSO patrons Lee and Floy Barthel of Northville, Mich. and the National Endowment for the Arts. Local sponsors include Central Savings Bank, the Walt North Family, Betty J. and Ralph P. Youngblood and LSSU.
For more information on the performances, contact Balfantz, 906-635-2278 or gbalfantz@lssu.edu. For ticket information, call the Norris Center Ticket Office, 906-635-2602. To get more information about the DSO or the Ambassador Quintet, visit www.detroitsymphony.com.
