Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) – which brands itself as ‘the world’s most accessible orchestra’ – has received a USD2.9m (€2.6m) donation for education projects. It is the largest bequest DSO has received in over a decade, and ensures the short-term future of its education and outreach efforts.
The money comes from the estate of Clyde and Helen Wu, who donated millions to the orchestra during their lifetime. DSO has said it will honour their legacy through a portrait in the Jacob Bernard Pincus Music Education Center.
Clyde Wu was chair of DSO’s education committee and established the Wu Family Academy for Learning and Engagement, which each year engages hundreds of young musicians across Detroit.
‘[Clyde and Helen] believed that both exposure and experiences are necessary to spark the passion for music that leads to transformational impact on the healthy development of young people, both socially and intellectually,’ said DSO CEO and president Anne Parsons. ‘Thanks to Clyde and Helen’s visionary leadership, that is exactly what happens each weekend when hundreds of students gather at The Max to participate in our music training programmes.’
Their son David commented: ‘I am so proud that my parents’ legacy will live on at the DSO, helping to permanently sustain the training programmes that they loved so much.’
DSO will seek additional support to build on this seed funding with the goal of creating new youth engagement programmes.