These three performances, in early May of this year, were a powerful experience for performers and audience members alike.  The CCD is profoundly grateful to Maestro Murry Sidlin, the DSO and world-class soloists, and our guest choristers for sharing their musical gifts with us in these monumental, deeply meaningful concerts that reached as many as 20,000 audience members, both in-house and online worldwide.

We have been invited to provide the featured choir for the May ’17 DSO national production of The Defiant Requiem, conducted by Murry Sidlin, who originated the production. This is the Verdi Requiem, as written, but with stunning multi-media art to commemorate the 16 performances of the Requiem by the prisoners of the Terezin concentration camp in WWII.

There will seven rehearsals and three concerts, and we will have a choir of 120, with 30 singers per part.  The Community Chorus of Detroit (CCD) welcomes singers from several other SE Michigan choirs, by invitation, to complete the sections.  As we receive more information from the DSO, this page will be updated; however, dates are firm.  When our roster for the concerts is complete, Diane Linn, CCD Executive Director, will contact all singers.  Edition Peters scores will be available from Diane for $30 from 3/12 to 3/28, and this is the only fee.  Checks may be made to “Community Chorus of Detroit.”  The price includes the cost of the score and a few dollars for S&H to us plus a $2 contribution toward scores for participants who are not able to afford them.  Even if you own a score, we recommend purchasing a new one, so that you will have only Murry Sidlin’s markings in your copy.  Click here for Rehearsal Aids.

If you would like to participate in this outstanding opportunity, we welcome experienced singers on a first-come, first-served, non-auditioned basis – those who have either sung the Verdi Requiem before or who are capable musicians who will commit to having the music learned for the first rehearsal.  We will not be able to accept non-registered singers at the door.  For registration and/or questions, please contact Diane Linn at info@communitychorusofdetroit.com; tell her your voice part and email address.

Please feel free to share this information with your colleagues, as we have a few spaces available in each section.

–We have been informed by the DSO librarian that all choral editions of the Verdi Requiem are identical, so we ask that you bring a score if you can – any edition.
–Chairs will be on stage for singers at both venues for rehearsals and performances.
–The DSO staff is working to create a ticket package for our singers and their guests.  Info TBA.

CONCERT ATTIRE – We will wear all black for the concerts (but not the dress rehearsal).

Ladies: Long-sleeved black top/blouse and ankle-length black skirt (or pants) OR long-sleeved, ankle-length black dress. One option for attire is this mail-order company, which offers reasonable prices and a wide selection of ladies’ black performance attire: Formal Fashions, Inc. in Arizona; 800-528-7909 or www.formalfashionsinc.com.
Gentlemen: At the request of the DSO, we have a tweak for your attire.  The DSO has requested all black (no white shirt), so either a long-sleeved, collared black shirt OR a short-sleeved, collared black shirt (such as a polo shirt) with a black jacket and black or dark pants.  Gentlemen will not wear ties.

Ladies and gentlemen: Black stockings and black shoes.

Rehearsals with Dr. Edward Maki-Schramm conducting
All with 6:45 call & 7:00-9:30 rehearsal
–Tuesdays 3/28, 4/4, 4/18 in Allesee at Orchestra Hall
–Wednesday 4/26 in the Cube, downstairs at Orchestra Hall

DSO rehearsals & performances with Maestro Murry Sidlin conducting
Monday, May 1st (Shaarey Zedek)
Call time: 7:15
Rehearsal: 8:00-10:00
Choir-only rehearsal at Congregation Shaarey Zedek (SZ) at Maestro Sidlin’s request; this is an additional rehearsal to the original schedule.  Please see the 5/1 lecture below, under “Defiant Requiem: Enrichment Events.”

Tuesday, May 2nd (Orchestra Hall)
Call time: 6:45
Rehearsal: 7:30-10:00 On Stage

Wednesday, May 3rd (Shaarey Zedek)
Call time: 6:45
Dress Rehearsal: 7:30-10:00

*Thursday, May 4th (Shaarey Zedek)
Call time: 5:30 (updated)
Please park at Plante Moran, 27400 Northwestern Hwy, Southfield
Line-up/Transit: 7:10
On Stage: 7:20

(Friday, May 5th Evening Off – No Performance)

*Saturday, May 6th (Orchestra Hall)
Call time: 6:45
Line-up/Transit: 7:40
On Stage: 7:50

*Sunday, May 7th (Orchestra Hall)
Call time: 1:45
Line-up/Transit: 2:40
On Stage: 2:50

* Denotes Performance

Defiant Requiem: Optional Enrichment Events Sponsored by the DSO
These events are open to our choristers and to the public, for the purpose of enriching our understanding of the background of the Defiant Requiem.  Please read this Huffpost article and see the video on this link for an outstanding introduction to the Defiant Requiem: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-apuzzo/voices-raised-in-resistan_b_3029488.html?utm_hp_ref=arts&ir=Arts.

“Prelude to the Defiant Requiem: A Defining Lecture Series”
April 5, 19*, 26
7-8:30pm
Congregation Shaarey Zedek Berman Center for Jewish Education
Presented by Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
*April 19 program provided by DSO
Catalog and Registration at http://jewishdetroit.org/adult-jewish-learning/feded-catalog-2/

Defiant Requiem Documentary
April 30; 7:45PM
Berman Center for the Performing Arts
Click here to reserve a seat

Defiant Requiem discussion with Maestro Murray Sidlin
May 1; 7:00PM
Location: Congregation Shaarey Zedek Berman Center for Jewish Education

Chamber Recital
Recital program of works by composers who were imprisoned at Terezin
Time and Location TBD

“The Butterfly” Art Exhibit
April 5 – May 5
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Artwork by children from Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Inspired by Defiant Requiem and The Butterfly, a 1942 poem by a child in a concentration camp