The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will perform at the 18th annual “Salute to America” concert series July 1-4 at Greenfield Village in Dearborn.
Popular patriotic songs such as the “Star Spangled Banner,” “Stars and Stripes Forever” and the music of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” are featured in the show.
The celebration, fitting to the Fourth of July weekend, is a tribute to America’s pastime and will feature guest performer harmonica player Michael Runyan and live cannon fire with fireworks to conclude the celebration.
Runyan began writing music when he was 15 and adds unique aspects to his performances. He often combines other forms of performance into his acts, like magic and juggling.
“As people have asked me to add a new number to my repertoire over time I thought, ‘what can I do to make this piece special?’” Runyan said. “I try to add something special to every piece I play, sometimes its adding a little musical flourish and sometimes it’s adding a visual element.”
In the upcoming performance Runyan excludes the magic, costumes and juggling but still has a difficult task ahead of him, he said.
“I’m playing a piece that normally three trumpet players do. I’m going to use six harmonicas and I have to switch between them pretty fast,” Runyan said. “So there is a little bit of visual there that [it] will be fun for the audience to watch.”
Conductor Steven Reineke, who has worked with numerous orchestras, including those from Cincinnati, Atlanta and Windsor, is excited about the upcoming performance, he said, and feels it will be a series to remember.
“It’s my first time performing at Greenfield Village. I’ve conducted the Detroit Symphony many times but never outside at Greenfield Village” Reineke said. “And it’s my first time ever working with a harmonica soloist as a guest star.”
Reineke, who started his musical journey playing trumpet, chose to follow in the footsteps of his mentor and teacher, Erich Kunzel. Kunzel, who is the founder of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, aided Reineke with the study of conducting and passed along his experience.
“He gave me conducting lessons,” Reineke said. “When you’re a trumpet player, you want to play higher, faster, louder than anyone else, be the star of the show, and that goes hand in hand with being a conductor. We’re all control freaks.”
The concert is set to begin at 8:30 p.m. and is an outdoor event. These circumstances do not bother Reineke at all; he’s looking forward to the series because of the intensity the night creates, he said.
“I love performing outside at night. Outdoor concerts are fun, especially for an event like Fourth of July,” Reineke said. “It’s a family affair and it’s great to be out under the stars.”
In addition to the “Salute to America” concert series, the DSO will also be performing two concerts on July 9 and 10 at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores in recognition of a new collaborative partnership.
Special guest Dave Bennett will be performing with his sextet on July 9. Bennett, who was born and raised in Waterford, Mich., loves the opportunity of a homecoming.
“It means a lot,” Bennett said. “When I play in Michigan, a lot of people that I know come to my shows, it’s a lot of home like feelings that come along with it; it’s a comfortable place to play.”
Tickets range from $12-$50 and children under four are free. For more information on these upcoming performances visit the DSO’s website, detroitsymphony.com
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! As I look back on 2021, my heart is filled with so much gratitude for our amazing team and for the community we serve. These unprecedented times have been difficult, but I truly believe that we as an organization have learned so much. We are working smarter and have developed enough flexibility to seamlessly navigate through unexpected changes and outcomes. We are resilient as a workforce, and this institution is moving forward
and building back. This year, we will welcome a number of new exhibitions and reimagined signature events. Two new limited-engagement exhibitions make their way to Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in 2022, starting February 19 with the launch of Apollo: When We Went to the Moon. Featuring 100 objects and artifacts from the archives of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, visitors can explore how the space race inspired generations of Americans. This exhibition runs through May
8. Following Apollo, visitors can experience the magic of Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume from June 25 through January 1, 2023. With more than 70 beloved costumes, Heroes & Villains immerses visitors in the innovative and creative world of Disney. Admission to both exhibitions is free with membership or ticket purchase to Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.
We will also open a new permanent museum exhibition that showcases one of the most comprehensive collections of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments ever assembled. Constructed in a brand-new museum gallery space, the exhibit is projected to open for the 2022 holiday season.
Opening April 15 to members and April 16 to the public, Greenfield Village kicks off the 2022 season with the grand opening of the historic Detroit Central Market. Built in 1861 in Detroit, the building was saved from demolition and acquired in 2003. Under construction since 2019, the market is the first permanent building addition to Greenfield Village since we opened the DT&M Roundhouse in 2000. The market structure will be used as one of our premier venues for many of The Henry Ford’s historic foodways and edible education initiatives.
Our special events schedule that will include annual favorites such as Motor Muster, Old Car Festival and our Salute to America Concerts will kick off this year with the return of Day Out With Thomas™. After a two-year absence, Thomas the Train returns to the village May 13-15 and 20-22. For more information, including future on-sale dates for all of our programming, please visit our website, thf.org, or follow The Henry Ford on social media @thehenryford.
I look forward to a new year filled with inspiring offerings for all ages. Thank you for standing with us and for your unwavering support. We are so grateful.