The Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s first concert took place in 1914 at the old Detroit Opera House, under the direction of Weston Gales, a young organist from Boston. The initial support for the symphony came from ten Detroit society women who each donated $100 and pledged to find enough additional subscribers to support the symphony (100 to donate $10 each). The DSO quickly became one of the most prominent orchestras in the country, featuring the highest caliber of guest artists such as Enrico Caruso, Igor Stravinsky, Richard Strauss, Marian Anderson, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Pablo Casals.
Now finding a home at the Max, the DSO continues to offer first-class performances. Pre-performance Ford ConcerTalks bring together audiences, guest artists, and musical experts to discuss the evening’s program. The 37/11 program, where anyone under the age of 37 can purchase tickets for select performances for $11, and Student Month, when students can buy tickets to performances for only $5, help to keep performances accessible for young adults. The Young People’s Concerts Series, Tiny Tots Concerts Series, and Macy’s Super Saturdays at The Max offer children of all ages a fun musical learning experience.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) Information
- Public Transportation: Fair (Shuttle buses are provided for specific “Coffee Concerts”, but regular public transit routes are not easily accessible to the Symphony)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Yes.
- Performances/Programs: 250 concerts in an average season.
- Ticket Prices: Range from $10-$123, depending on seats and concert program. Group Discounts are offered for groups of 10 or more. Wayne State University employees, students and alumni who show their “OneCard” can receive 10% off single ticket purchase prices for DSO concerts. Keep an eye out for Student Month, when tickets for students are only $5!
- Subscriptions: Subscriptions are offered by genre of music; Classical, Pops, Jazz, Young People’s, World Music and other themed packages are available. Only subscribers can exchange tickets (subject to availability). Subscribers receive special benefits, including discounts on parking, use of your subscriber card to save 20% on additional individual tickets to any of the DSO’s classical concerts and online access to the Naxos Online Music Library (more than 250,000 tracks from over 50 record labels representing over 7,000 composers). Some subscribers may receive invitations to exclusive subscriber events and seat upgrades.
- Activities for Children: Young People’s Concerts Series and Tiny Tots Concerts Series are offered.
- Activities for Young Adults: Anybody under the age of 37 (and 15 and above) can get select DSO tickets for $11 – DSO sends an e- mail about once a month with concerts on sale to 37/11 members and upcoming concerts not yet on sale. You can immediately buy tickets for concerts listed “On Sale Now” for $11 with this offer.
- Membership: Beginning at $100 benefits include, listing in print once annually in the DSO Honor Roll, 10% off all purchases at the Shop @ The Max and four open rehearsal passes. At higher levels, donors received invitations to galas and private dinners.
