Robot to Conduct Detroit Symphony Orchestra

by Jaime Pfeffer

April 29th, 2008 in Creative, Detroit, Entertainment, Events, Music, Performance

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While the flying cars of The Jetsons aren’t the norm quite yet here on Earth, you know we are headed into a new era when we are allowing robots to perform surgeries, clean our floors and function as conductors.

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will embrace technology in a whole new way on Tuesday, May 13 when Honda’s beloved ASIMO humanoid robot focuses its attention on the DSO’s nationally acclaimed youth music programs by conducting the orchestra as it performs “Impossible Dream” to open a special concert performance with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

On May 14, ASIMO will demonstrate its unique capabilities for hundreds of area school children prior to a specially arranged master class at the DSO, where a select group of music students will receive personal music instruction from Yo-Yo Ma. Students from the Detroit School of Arts (DSA) will participate in the master class on-stage in front of the audience of area children, which will include a group of young students from neighboring Windsor, Canada.

Honda hopes ASIMO’s appearance will draw attention to the DSO’s nationally acclaimed youth music programs — particularly the DSO’s effort to encourage and support involvement of children in Detroit.

Michigan’s most comprehensive pre-professional training program for orchestra, chamber, wind and jazz musicians, the DSO’s Civic Youth Ensembles (CYE) program boasts nine different classical and jazz ensembles. Nearly 500 students weekly ages 8 to 24 come from dozens of Southeast Michigan schools and colleges to participate weekly. Visit the DSO on the Web for more information.

One of Detroit's biggest cheerleaders, Jaime Pfeffer moved to the Motor City from suburban Detroit five years ago. She started a blog, Girl in the D, in September 2004 to promote the positive aspects of Detroit and hasn't stopped touting Motown's good side since. Jaime left corporate America in 2007 to pursue her first love, writing.