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 classical concerts are hosted by WRCJ’s Jimmy Rhoades and Detroit Public Schools students (and twin sisters) Toria and Tierra Holland. The jazz concerts are hosted by our Chris Felcyn and guitarist Mike Martin from Huron H.S. in New Boston, MI.  

Please enjoy these programs:

The Civic Symphony - March 15, 2013

Listen to Shostakovich's "Festival Overture in A, Op.96," Mozart's "Piano Quartet No.1," as well as some Beethoven and Bartok performed by the Civic Orchestra and the Civic Jarvi Piano Quartet and featuring pianist Zhihua Tang.

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The Civic Symphony - February 1, 2013

Enjoy some music from Shawn Dobbins and the Civic Jazz Orchestra featuring special guests Bill Lucas and Thomas Monks. Also, could it finally be time for a Mike Martin solo?

The Civic Symphony - November 25, 2012

This performance of The Civic Orchestra, The Civic Jazz Orchestra and the Wayne State Chorus, is in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of musical benefactors Helen and Clyde Wu.  Featuring intros from the Wu's grandchildren as well as performances by June Wu and Hai-Xin Wu, listen to works by Dvorak, Rutter, Ravel, Mozart, Beethoven and other popular composers.

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The Civic Wind Symphony - November 10, 2012

It's the start of a new season for Civic In Concert!  Join Jimmy Rhodes and new cohost Daisha Mosley, a violist and senior from North Farmington High School, who take you through this program.  The concert features Ibert's three short pieces for woodwind quintet, Gunther Schuller's Suite for wind quintet and more.

The Civic Symphony - April 22, 2012

Join Jimmy, Tierra, and Toria for a Civic Symphony that begins with the chamber ensembles, Dorati Woodwind Quintet, Gabrilowitsch String Quartet, and the Paray String Quartet.  Then, the DSO Civic Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.4.  Also, listen to interviews with clarinetist Ryan Stockhausen and Maestro Burke (if Toria can find him!).

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The Civic Symphony - March 11, 2012

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The Civic Jazz Orchestra  - March 4, 2012

The Civic Youth Jazz Band, under the direction of Kris Johnson, and Combo B, led by Alekos Syropoulos, perform in a concert recorded at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.  Listen for "Dishwater," a tune composed by Civic pianist Chad Coffman.  Civic guitarist Mike Martin and WRCJ's Chris Felcyn co-host.

The Civic Symphony - The Nutcracker - December 25, 2011

Charles Burke conducts as the DSO Civic Orchestra performs Tchkaikovsky's holiday classic.  Seasons Greetings from your friends at WRCJ-FM and Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

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The Civic Symphony - November 20, 2011

Charles Burke leads the young musicians in a program which includes Wagner's "Siegfried Idyll," Elgar's "Enigma Variations," and a musical salute to our military heroes. Our Jimmy Rhoades co-hosts with Cass Tech H.S. students Toria and Tierra Holland.

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The Civic Jazz Orchestra - November 20, 2011

The DSO Civic Jazz ensemble swings The Music Box inside the Max M. Fisher Music Center with music by Basie, Ellington and others. The program is co-hosted by guitarist Mike Martin, a ninth-grader at Huron H.S. in New Boston, MI.

The Civic Symphony - May 22, 2011

Charles Burke leads the orchestra in a rousing concert - their season finale - which includes music by Brahms, Bach, Beethoven, Copland, John Williams, Sousa and others.  Don't miss  "The Stars & Stripes Forever" closer!

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The Civic Jazz Orchestra - May 8, 2011

The 2011 season finale concert of the Civic Jazz Ensembles, under the general direction of Sean Dobbins as played before an enthusiastic audience in the Music Box of the Max Fisher Music Center.

The Civic Symphony - April 24, 2011

Charles Burke leads the DSO Civic Symphony in a special performance featuring The United States Air Force Rampart Winds. 

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The Civic Symphony - February 26 & 27, 2011

Leonard Slatkin and Charles Burke lead the orchestra in a program featuring music by Liszt and Respighi.  Jimmy Rhoades hosts.

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The Civic Jazz Orchestra - December 26, 2010

Sean Dobbins leads the DSO Civic Jazz youth ensemble in this concert, which features a special guest appearance by Detroit blues guitarist Johnny Bassett.  Civic jazz drummer Nick Bracewell co-hosts with WRCJ's Chris Felcyn.

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The Civic Jazz Orchestra - November 14, 2010

Diego Rivera leads the Detroit Symphony’s premier Civic Jazz Orchestra in sizzling charts from the Basie and Ellington orchestras before a live audience in the Music Box at the Max Fisher Music Center.  Civic jazz drummer Nick Bracewell co-hosts with Chris Felcyn.

The Civic Symphony - October 31, 2010

Maestro Charles Burke leads the Civic Symphony Orchestra in John Estacio’s Spring’s Promise, Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons, with guest violinist Anthony Bracewell, and Johannes Brahms' Symphony # 4.

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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.

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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."

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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