Detroit Orchestra Performs Nutcracker

The performances will be at the Ford Theater for the Arts Auditorium at the Detroit School of Arts (DSA) at 123 Selden Ave., Detroit. The ballets will also feature two principal dancers from the New York City Ballet, Yvonne Borree and Andrew Veyette.

In addition, sugar plums will swing away as the Civic Orchestra heads to East Lansing on Monday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. to join the Michigan State Jazz Orchestra and Vocal Jazz Ensemble in a performance of The Nutcracker at the Fairfield Theater on the Michigan State campus. This version features Tchaikovsky's original score adapted by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. DSO Director of Education Charles Burke conducts both the Detroit and East Lansing performances.

The Nutcracker is the timeless story of children Clara and Fritz Stahlbaum. As guests gather at their house on Christmas Eve, their mysterious godfather brings Clara a beautiful nutcracker doll. Later in the night, the Nutcracker comes to life and takes Clara on a magical journey to enchanting lands where they meet memorable characters including the Mouse King, Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier.

Comprised primarily of high school students playing at the very highest level, the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra members come from across Southeast Michigan, Windsor and northern Ohio. The orchestra rehearses weekly with conductor Charles Burke; trains with DSO musicians and guest artists; and performs a five-concert season at the Max M. Fisher Music Center. Recent repertoire has included John Estacio's Spring's Promise, Mozart's Symphony No. 25 and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5. In February, the Civic Orchestra will perform Orff's Carmina Burana.

Taylor Ballet Americana was formed in 1967, and its annual performance schedule includes traditional, classical and contemporary ballets. An outreach program provides entertainment and cultural enrichment for area schools and community sponsored events.

Yvonne Borree has been a principal dancer for the New York City Ballet since 1997. She developed her love of ballet at an early age from her mother who was also a dancer with New York City Ballet. Andrew Veyette, a native of Colorado, began his dance training at the age of 9. He joined New York City Ballet as a soloist in 2000 and in May 2007 was promoted to the rank of principal dancer.

Lead by conductor Rodney Whitaker, the 16-piece Michigan State Jazz Orchestra is a swinging college band playing the repertoire of the great jazz masters including soul, swing, blues and gospel. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble performs a variety of jazz, contemporary, and Brazilian music and concentrates on the fundamentals of style combined with the great tradition of choral techniques.

Charles Burke is Director of Education for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He is also Music Director of the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra and founding conductor of the Civic Philharmonia and Civic Sinfonia. Burke grew up in Washington, D.C. and earned degrees from West Virginia University and George Mason University. -- www.detroitsymphony.com