Orchestra Hall, home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, turns 100 this week.
Orchestra Hall is known for its perfect acoustics, its decade of jazz as the Paradise Theatre, and being saved from the wrecking ball by a group of musicians and citizens in 1970.
The concert hall’s grand opening concert took place on October 23, 1919. On that date a century later, the DSO will celebrate Orchestra Hall’s 100th anniversary with a free concert for the community.
This Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., A Century of Pops will include music from the first pops concert ever held at Orchestra Hall in 1919, as well as jazz and Broadway favorites and selections from film music like Star Wars.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will appear onstage at the beginning of the concert to officially declare October 23 “Orchestra Hall Day” in the City of Detroit before a new Centennial Fanfare is performed.
The concert will also be webcast for free online at dso.org/live.
Earlier in the day, guests can enjoy free guided tours of the building. In partnership with Detroit Historical Society, the DSO has also created a historical exhibition with photos and artifacts from Orchestra Hall’s past, including a 1920 Dodge coupe once owned by Orchestra Hall benefactor Horace Dodge himself.
The DSO celebrates Orchestra Hall’s centennial throughout the 2019-2020 season. Learn more at dso.org/centennial.
