(Lawrence B. Johnson, The Detroit News)
The financially strapped Detroit Symphony Orchestra will solicit donations from everyone attending ticketed events at the Max M. Fisher Music Center for the next month, the orchestra announced Wednesday.

Under a new program, called Community Support Month, the box office through Dec. 4 will request a $15-$25 contribution from ticket buyers of DSO presentations. The support initiative will be repeated in May.

Angela Detlor, DSO director of patron development and sales, said the goal is to raise $50,000 and find 1,900 new donors.

“It isn’t the money we’re looking for as much as a vote of confidence in what we’re doing and what we mean to the community,” says Detlor.

The campaign officially begins tonight when guitarist Stanley Clarke’s band performs in the DSO-sponsored Paradise Jazz Series.

New donors will have access to the patrons’ lounge for the evening and receive a gift parking voucher.

“We’re trying to make everybody aware that everybody can make a difference,” says Detlor. “We want the DSO to mean more to more people.”