Power of Dreams Music Education Fund  | Program Details | Power of Dreams Application | Contact Us

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Leonard Slatkin, is pleased to present the Power of Dreams String Music Project with the support of American Honda Motor Company, Inc. and in partnership with Wayne State University Department of Music and Shar Products Company.

This unique program is made available to students for whom string education is not currently available or opportunities are extremely limited. The program features a variety of opportunities for students to study classical Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass through participation in various levels of group lessons, ensemble training, and individual lessons.

Financial aid and an instrument rental program are available, see details below.

Please read below for additional information about the various program components and application process.


Group Lessons and Introductory Ensemble Training
Students are invited to register for group string lessons that will take place on the campus of Wayne State University during the months of September through May. Classes are offered at multiple skill levels, from introductory to intermediate, in classical Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass.

Entry Level
For students at an entry level or those students with less than one year of string training experience, please contact Bill Starnes by email or call the Student Hotline at 313-703-7370 to inquire further about Levels I, II, and III group lessons and/or to receive an application.

Intermediate Level
For students that have more than one year of string training experience, they may apply to participate in the intermediate group lessons program that features introductory ensemble training as part of the lesson component.

Highlights and requirements to participate in this specific program are as follows:
• Students must have participated in at least one year of string instruction
• There is no audition requirement, eligible students are asked to complete an online application and will be assigned based on skill level
• Classes take place in the Old Main building, on the campus of Wayne State University
• Classes are offered on Saturdays, in two, 12-week semesters (Fall and Winter/Spring)
• Performances take place in Orchestra Hall
• DSO musicians and teachers will lead classes and masterclasses
• Discounted instrument rental and purchase program available through Shar Products Company
• Tuition is $165 total for both semesters combined

For additional information about the intermediate group lessons and introductory ensemble training program, please email Cecelia Sharpe or call 313-576-5599.

Power of Dreams Photo Gallery

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Program Details

Civic String Orchestra Ensemble
The Civic String Orchestras offers an excellent first step into the world of orchestral performance.  These ensembles focus on the presentation of rudimentary ensemble techniques in a methodical way that allows for quick advancement for those that have limited experience playing in an orchestral setting. Rehearsals take place on Saturdays at the Max M. Fisher Music Center and tuition is $165 for two semesters combined.

Participation in this group is by audition only. It is recommended students who have completed a minimum of Suzuki book II or a comparable method book (or more advanced) and can play, at a minimum, one octave of the following Major scales: C, G, E and F may consider auditioning for this program. In addition to Civic String Orchestras, the DSO’s Civic Youth Ensembles program offers opportunities for advanced students to participate in one of the ensembles or orchestras.  Participation in any of the CYE ensembles is by audition only.

Please visit www.dso.org/cye to see a complete listing of the training ensembles and/or to complete an online application.  Once you have completed an application, we will contact you via email within 2 weeks to schedule your audition time.

 
Limited Individual Lessons with DSO Musicians
Individual lessons will take place weekly with a DSO musician, at a time determined between the student and the teacher. Space for individual lessons is extremely limited and priority will be given to students who show potential as classical musicians. These students must also exhibit a strong desire to learn and grow, work hard, and have the support of their families.

Participation in this group is by audition only.  Auditions take place during the Fall annually. 

Interested students must fill out an individual lessons application, write a 200 word (maximum) essay, and provide two letters of recommendation. Upon review, the DSO will invite students to interview and audition once a Fall audition date has been scheduled. Individual lessons will begin Fall/Winter on a date agreed upon by the student and teacher. Tuition is $120 for two semesters combined.  Please call (313) 576-5599 if you have questions about this program.

 
Financial Aid
Scholarships are available for qualifying Power of Dreams participants.  Please call (313) 576-5599 with questions about our financial aid program.

 
Do you need an instrument?
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has partnered with Shar Products Company and will help provide an instrument for our Power of Dream String Music Project participants at a cost they can afford. After students sign up for the Project, they will receive additional information about the instrument program.

 
Power of Dreams Card
Each student involved in the program will be issued a Power of Dreams DSO card. This card will allow students to redeem up to three pairs of complimentary tickets to DSO events throughout the season.

Program made possible by:  

Additional support provided by:

DeRoy Testamentary Foundation

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra would like to thank American Honda Motor Company, Inc. for their generous support of this program in addition to Wayne State University, Department of Music and Shar Products Company for their partnership support.  The DSO would also like to thank the DeRoy Foundation, Ford Motor Company Fund, Surdna Foundation, Village Club, and Young Woman's Home Association and the National Endowment for the Arts for their support of the Power of Dreams String Music Project. Additional funding to support the Level I Introductory classes has been provided by Wayne State University through the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Department of Music. The National String Project Consortium, through a grant from the National Association of Music Merchants' NAMM Foundation, has also provided funding for the Level I classes.

Individual Lessons Forms

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