Detroit Jewish News

November 2 • 2017 35 jn FACEBOOK T he Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) announced that it has received new and increased sup- port totaling $18.5 million from four foundations: the William Davidson Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, and the Dresner Foundation. The donations will support a variety of programs by the orchestra both on the stage and in the community, as well as add to its long-term financial sustainability. The William Davidson Foundation, longtime supporter of the DSO, is giving $15 million to the orchestra. The new gift includes continued sponsorship of the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series, which has brought the DSO into community venues across Southeast Michigan for the past seven years. The pledge also features a $5 mil- lion challenge grant to the DSO's perma- nent endowment to inspire additional, widespread support. In recognition of this significant gift, the DSO announced that the atrium at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center will from now on be named the William Davidson Atrium. "The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has recently achieved tremendous success- es, with five consecutive balanced bud- gets, increased individual giving and our highest ticket sales in years," said Mark Davidoff, chairman of the DSO Board of Directors and Michigan managing partner of Deloitte. "While there is more to be done as we move into the second half of our 10-year plan, we want to take the time to thank all those who have believed in and supported our vision to increase and broaden the DSO's impact in our resurgent city and region." "Our family's support of the DSO began three generations ago," says Ralph J. Gerson, a member of the William Davidson family, the William Davidson Foundation Executive Committee and the DSO Board of Directors. "We want this world-class orchestra — this com- munity jewel — to enrich audiences in our region and across the globe for generations to come. The DSO's exem- plary leadership, musical artistry and unmatched accessibility continue to inspire us. We hope the Foundation's $5 million challenge grant will inspire others to contribute to the endowment campaign and thereby become lifelong supporters." This challenge from the William Davidson Foundation has already been halfway met, thanks to new support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, and the Dresner Foundation. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is meeting the chal- lenge with a new $2 million gift to the DSO's endowment ( for a total of $2.75 million when com- bined with its recently announced annual fund gift) to support the work of the DSO's Social Progress Initiative. This includes bolster- ing enrollment for underserved youth in the DSO's Civic Youth Ensembles program, growing the talent of these students through regular private lessons and expanding the orchestra's African- American Fellowship program to have two fellows in the orchestra simultane- ously. The Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Foundation is giving $1 million to the DSO's endowment to meet the chal- lenge, adding to its ongoing operating support for several artistic initiatives including the DSO's Civic Jazz Ensemble. Prior to the start of the foundation, Fred and Barbara Erb also personally endowed the DSO's Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair beginning in 2001 and currently held by Terence Blanchard. The Dresner Foundation is giving $500,000 in new support to this chal- lenge, in addition to $600,000 it pledged to the orchestra in March to provide comprehensive music education for underserved youth through increased classroom visits and the establish- ment of a new entry-level program in the DSO's Civic Youth Ensembles. The Dresner Foundation Allegro Ensemble launched in September at Duke Ellington Elementary on Detroit's east side with 32 students. • Let The Music Play Davidson Foundation gives $15 million to the DSO. 3051 E WALTON BOULEVARD, AUBURN HILLS, MI 48326 100 W SQUARE LAKE ROAD, BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI 48302 2500 MARTIN PARKWAY, COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, MI 48390 Welcome to the lifestyle you seek, the care and security you need and the dignity you deserve. Our communities include The Village Square, 3 on-site restaurants with Chef-prepared meals, a Concierge approach to care and more. This is where life happens! NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS! 855-543-2636 WWW.FIRSTANDMAIN.US ASSISTED LIVING I MEMORY CARE OPENING FALL 2017 IN OAKLAND COUNTY! 2207700 Dr. Russell Jaffe: "Nourishment is elegantly simple in concept…yet one so often overlooked at great cost" Physicians: Keep mitochondrial energy production V\VWHPIRUHPRVWLQ\RXUWKRXJKWVüERWK\RX \RXUSDWLHQWVZLOOEHQHðWú ì

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