Grant Awarded: September 2004

Type of Grant: We the People

Sponsor: Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO)

Contact: Stephen Millen, 313-576-5165, smillen@dso.org

Award: $20,000

Website: http://detroitsymphony.org

The project consists of the commission of an oratorio entitled “Dear Mrs. Parks” by famed composer Hannibal Lokumbe; two performances of this oratorio by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with an inter-community chorus and soloists on February 19-20, 2005 at DSO’s Max M. Fisher Music Center; and, residency and outreach activities by Mr. Lokumbe and the DSO. These activities will include youth education in collaboration with the Henry Ford Museum, pre-concert lectures featuring Mr. Lokumbe, and a master class taught by Mr. Lokumbe to students in the DSO’s youth orchestras and Detroit Public Schools. “Dear Mrs. Parks “will serve as a commentary on Rosa Parks’ historic act that sparked the Civil Rights Movement. The 60-minute piece will features a chorus and soloists singing the contents of a series of letters expressing sentiments of gratitude to Mr. Parks, a longtime Detroit resident.