By Katie Winkler
Review Staff Writer
Lake Orion High School is one of four selected locations in the metro Detroit area that will host the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a free concert this fall.
After being nominated by Lake Orion band director, Michael Steele, community members had the chance to vote and they racked up more than 3,000 votes to give Orion High School the opportunity to hold the DSO for a free concert.
The other three chosen were Brighton Center for the Performing Arts, Garden City High School and Greater Grace Temple.
LOHS and the others had to meet certain requirements to be considered, including large seating capacity, dressing room area for performers, some technical issues, and a large enough back stage area.
Voting closed about two weeks ago and final results were announced last week.
For LOHS to be considered, Steele submitted letters of recommendation, reassuring DSO officials that LOHS could draw a large crowd, and a personal statement.
‘This is an opportunity,? Steele said. ‘I am trying to expose my students and community to as much great music as I can. The best musicians in the area that play the music my students are studying are in the DSO. Our students will be able to see a performance in their own auditorium versus going to Detroit and paying for a ticket, parking, etc., which for some people is cost prohibitive.?
Those interested in orchestral music, or learning more about it, will be able to experience this world-class symphony in Lake Orion.
The concert will be held on Thursday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m. Even though the concert is free, anyone interested in attending needs to get a ticket by going online to DSO.org or calling the DSO box office at (313)576-5111.
‘Of course we are really fortunate to have a really great historical hall that we play in on a normal basis. It is our honor to come out to communities where maybe they don’t have time to come downtown or don’t make it to Detroit that often. It’s a great opportunity to connect with the metro Detroit area because we are as much their symphony as we are Detroit’s,? said Gabrielle Poshadlo, DSO spokesperson.