DSO’s “Classical Roots” Concerts Present Regina Carter in World Premiere of Billy Child’s Violin Concerto
“Classical Roots” Gala Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Honors Composer Olly Wilson
DETROIT, (December 11, 2009) – Detroit native, MacArthur Fellow and world-renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter will give the World Premiere of a Violin Concerto written by William “Billy” Childs, the Grammy Award-winning composer and jazz pianist who received a Guggenheim Fellowship last spring. The work will be one of three compositions by contemporary African-American composers to be performed at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s 2010 “Classical Roots” concerts, which take place on Fri., Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 30 at 8:30 p.m. in Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center. Conducted by DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin, the program will also include Lumina by celebrated composer Olly Wilson, and Beyond Rivers of Vision by James Lee III, a 34-year-old native of St. Joseph, Michigan. Additionally, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, directed by Augustus Hill, will sing a set of a-cappella selections, and the performances will open with “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” by John Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson. READ MORE