“Connor Dougherty, 11, was about to try his hand at conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra,” writes Michael Hodges in Thursday’s (11/12) Detroit News. “Connor, who has Down syndrome, was a little overwhelmed…. ‘Don’t tell the orchestra,’ said DSO music director Leonard Slatkin softly, bending over to hand the child the baton, ‘but it’s really very easy. Now just stand up.’ And Connor did, smiling shyly at the burst of applause that elicited. Then he lifted his baton and led the DSO through a rousing version of the ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever.’ The event was a first for the orchestra, but reflects a growing trend among Detroit cultural institutions … that are reaching out in ways they never have before…. Caen Thomason-Redus, DSO director of community and learning … and Laura Duda, a music therapist formerly at Children’s Hospital of Michigan and now DSO manager of community engagement, are already at work planning a second event. ‘Our goal,’ Thomason-Redus said, ‘is for the DSO in a couple years to be known for this both nationally and internationally.’ … DSO composer-in-residence Gabriela Frank said she was dazzled by Connor’s reaction … ‘When the music came to life,’ Frank said, ‘Connor came to life.’ ”
Posted November 13, 2015
