The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) today announced the successful funding of phase one of Detroit Harmony, a major initiative to collaboratively expand the role of music in supporting the educational and social development of Detroit’s school children, while also growing economic opportunity for Detroit citizens through the provision of instruments and music education.

Through a collaborative citywide effort, Detroit Harmony will put an instrument into the hands of every K-12 public, private, and charter school student in the city who wants to learn to play. At the same time, the program will be intentionally structured to bolster economic and workforce development in Detroit, including bringing new jobs to teaching artists, transportation providers, and skilled tradespeople to restore and bring life back to used instruments, plus job training and professional development resources for workers.

The DSO is currently recruiting for a project director to lead Detroit Harmony’s 18-month planning phase. Major support for this initial stage was provided by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation.