Warren Weekly | Published October 11, 2023
Warren Symphony Orchestra begins 50th season Nov. 19
WARREN — The Warren Symphony Orchestra will celebrate its 50th season with a new music director and conductor, with performances at the Warren Woods Community Theatre beginning Nov. 19.
Andrew Neer is the fourth music director and conductor for the 50-year-old orchestra. Neer, a Georgia native, has lived the majority of his life in Macomb County. He is known for his dynamic and expressive style of conducting and creative passion on and off the podium, according to Joyce Russell, the executive director of the Warren Symphony Orchestra.
An active conductor in the Detroit metropolitan area since 2013, Neer’s international conducting career extends from Romania to Bulgaria.
He recently earned a doctorate in musical arts from the University of Michigan’s orchestral conducting program.
The Warren Symphony Orchestra’s first performance of the season will be Nov. 19. They will perform Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 at the Warren Woods Community Theater, in the city where it began five decades ago, through a new partnership. Last year, performances were at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Clinton Township.
“We are very excited about this partnership,” said Russell.
The Warren Symphony Orchestra has been named the Outstanding Community Orchestra seven times at the Detroit Music Awards. The orchestra reaches 2,000 elementary students each year through its youth engagement concerts.
For more information about the Warren Symphony Orchestra, call (586) 754-2950 or visit warrensymphonyorchestra.com.
What a gem
WARREN — The Michigan Mineralogical Society’s 78th Greater Gem, Mineral and Fossil show will be held Oct. 13-15 at the Macomb Community College South Campus Expo Center, 14500 12 Mile Road. The hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information and admission prices, visit www.michmin.org.
Veteran of the Year Award applications sought
MACOMB COUNTY — The Macomb County Board of Commissioners is accepting nominations for the Pat Daniels Macomb County Veteran of the Year Award. The award recognizes a military veteran who has made significant contributions.
Previous award winners are: Pat Daniels (2019), Phil Randazzo (2020), Pazzella Colston Bonner (2021) and Lt. Col. John E. Walus (2022). To nominate a veteran, visit bocmacomb.org for an application form. Questions can be sent by email to bocadmin@macombgov.org or by calling (586) 469-5125.
Nominations will be accepted through Oct. 27.
Explore artwork from the DIA
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Detroit Institute of Arts will host walking tours of its Inside|Out installations at the Macomb Community College Center Campus and Henry Ford Hospital Oct. 18.
DIA volunteer docents will lead the tours and teach participants about the works on display. The Inside|Out program brings high-quality reproductions of the DIA’s collection to outdoor venues throughout metro Detroit to increase engagement between the museum and community members in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
The tour will begin at noon at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, where participants will view the Inside|Out installation on the Macomb Community College Center Campus, located at 44575 Garfield Road. After the first leg of the tour, participants will be shuttled to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital at 15855 19 Mile Road. The second portion of the tour will begin at 1 p.m. Participants are welcome to join one or both sections of the tour. The DIA will provide bus transportation from Macomb Community College to Henry Ford Hospital at no cost for those attending both tours. For more information, visit dia.org/insideout.
Wanted: local choirs to drum up the Christmas spirit
METRO DETROIT — The live entertainment company 313 Presents is looking for local choirs and glee clubs to perform during select holiday shows at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.
Choirs will have the opportunity to perform acapella style atop the Fox Theatre’s grand staircase approximately one hour before showtime at one the following holiday shows:
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” Nov. 8-12; “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” Dec. 1-3; “NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet” Dec. 10; and “The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays” Dec. 21-23.
Members of all selected choirs will receive discounted tickets on the main floor and all choir members may invite their congregations, schools, families and friends. Local choir and club registration is due by Nov. 1.
To register or for more information, call 313 Presents Group Sales at (313) 471-3099.