The Detroit Public Schools Foundation continued its role as a proud sponsor for the 44th Annual Evening of Fine Arts: Moving Forward event held on May 16, 2013 at the historic Fox Theatre in Downtown Detroit showcasing student talent.

More than 550 Detroit Public Schools students from elementary, middle and high school grade levels across the city filled the theater with music, dance and art. The evening commenced with Lobby Performances and an Art Gallery showcase at 6 p.m. followed by performances beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Theatre.

Student performances on four stages within the theater spanned instrumental, vocal, visual and performing arts exhibitions, including concert choir performances, a violin solo, jazz ensembles, mariachi performances, symphonic bands, a wind symphony, a percussion ensemble, a string quintet and contemporary dance, among other spectacular exhibitions.

 Specific program highlights included:

  • The Munger Elementary School Band performed “Star Wars”
  • The Spain K-8 Orchestra performed “Fiddles on Fire”
  • The Duke Ellington K-8 Jazz Combo performed “Blue Bossa”
  • Cass Technical Harp and Vocal performed “Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day”
  • Detroit School of Arts Wind Symphony performed “Robinson’s Grand Entrée March”
  • Renaissance High School Chamber Strings performed themes from Mozart’s Symphony no. 40
  • John R. King K-8 Angelic Chorale performed “Take Five”
  • Western High School International/Academy of Americas Mariachi Juvenil Detroit
  • A Combined Chorus (Cass Technical High School, Detroit School of Arts and Renaissance High School Chamber Strings, along with the All City Jazz Ensemble Winds) performed “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”

The performing arts are an important priority for the Detroit Public Schools Foundation. Participation in the arts increases children’s motivation to learn, making them more likely to attend school, deepens their ability to pay attention and builds self-esteem. Your donations make it possible for the DPS Foundation to support these life-changing opportunities. Please give generously today to support the talents of Detroit students.

To read more in our June 2013 Newsletter click here (PDF)