The Civic In Concert

Hear the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's most advanced youth ensembles -- the Civic Symphony and the Civic Jazz Orchestra -- in a series of occasional concert specials only on WRCJ 90.9 FM.  The programs are hosted by WRCJ’s Jimmy Rhoades and Detroit School of Arts students and Civic musicians Devoun Rushing and Denzel Donald.  

Please enjoy these programs:

The Civic Jazz Orchestra - May 16, 2010

The Music Box at the Max was rockin’ when these thrilling young musicians took the stage for their season finale. Their leader, Professor Rodney Whitaker, is moving on and they played their hearts out one more time for their much admired mentor. (There were several surprises, too!) Listen now to this exciting full-length concert.  Civic jazz trombonist and Detroit School of Arts senior Denzel Donald co-hosts with WRCJ's Chris Felcyn. 

The Civic Classical and Jazz Ensembles - May 2, 2010

Maestro Charles Burke leads the ensembles in a jazzy version of Beethoven's Symphony # 9.  Detroit School of Arts student and Civic Symphony cellist Devoun Rushing co-hosts with Jimmy Rhoades.  Enjoy!

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The Civic Symphony in Concert - March 7, 2010

The orchestra rings in the season with Copland's Appalachian Spring and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring under the baton of Charles Burke.  Detroit School of Arts student and Civic Symphony cellist Devoun Rushing co-hosts with Jimmy Rhoades.

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December 27, 2009 - The Civic Jazz Orchestra

Enjoy this concert by the Civic Jazz Orchestra from the Music Box, led by Rodney Whitaker and featuring a tribute to Miles Davis. Hosted by Chris Felcyn and Detroit School of Arts senior and Civic Jazz trombonist Denzel Donald. (seen here swingin' with the band!)

December 20, 2009 - The Civic Symphony - Christmas Concert

Hear the Civic as they perform Holiday favorites including Sleigh Ride, selections from The Nutcracker and more more, under the direction of Maestro Charles Burke. Hear the five winners of Leonard Slatkin's piano project.

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November 15, 2009 - The Civic Symphony

Hear the Civic as they perform Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade and Dvorák’s Carnival Overture under the direction of Maestro Charles Burke.

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June 13 & 14, 2009 - The Civic Classical & Jazz Orchestras in Concert

WRCJ 90.9 was proud to broadcast the season finale concerts of both the DSO Civic Symphony and Jazz orchestras.  Please enjoy these thrilling performances.  

The Civic Symphony in Concert, hosted by Jimmy Rhoades and DSA student Jared Laws, featured Camille Saint-Saens’ spectacular “Organ” Symphony. Charles Burke conducts and Norah Duncan is the featured soloist.

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The Civic Jazz Orchestra in Concert, hosted by Chris Felcyn and DSA student Denzel Donald, includes a tribute to the music of Charles Mingus.

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May 3, 2009 - The Civic in Concert

Conducted by Leonard Slatkin before a capacity house in Orchestra Hall, the concert features two outstanding young soloists, 15-year old violinist Clayton Penrose-Whitmore and 13-year old pianist Sarina Zhang.  The program includes:  BERNSTEIN Candide Overture; CHEVALIER- J.J.O. DE MEUDE-MONPAS: Allegro from Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major; COPLAND Two Dance Episodes from Rodeo: Saturday Night Waltz and Hoe Down; HAILSTORK Celebration; BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op.15, 1st movement; WILLIAMS Imperial March from Star Wars; and SOUSA: The Stars and Stripes Forever.

March 8, 2009 - The Civic in Concert

Maestro Charles Burke leads the Civic in a program featuring Johann Sebastiann Bach's Fantasia and Fugue in C minor; Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 10 for Two Pianos, (Pauline Martin and Zhihua Tang, pianos) and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, the "New World Symphony."

December 21, 2008 - The Civic In Concert

A Christmas concert of music arranged by Maestro Leonard Slatkin for the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra with Regional Student Piano Competition Winners. 

November 9, 2008 - The Civic in Concert

Under the direction of maestros Charles Burke and Peter Oundjian, The DSO Civic Orchestra performs a concert featuring the Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz. 

May 11, 2008 - The Civic in Concert

Featured are interviews with Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton, Principal and Founder of the Detroit School of the Arts, Charles Burke, Music Director of the Civic Ensembles, DSO Principal Guest Conductor Peter Oundjian and 14-year-old violinist Emily Hudock, who demonstrated a virtuosic maturity far beyond her years and entranced the Orchestra Hall audience.