FCA Foundation Supports Detroit Symphony Orchestra's 'Heroes Night' Concerts for U.S. Armed Forces Veterans and Their Families

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Nov 08, 2017, 12:00 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

FCA Foundation pledges $180,000 to Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Funding supports DSO's efforts to increase access to world-class music for veterans

The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of FCA US LLC, today announced $180,000 in support for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) for the 2017-2018 concert season. The funding will support a number of DSO initiatives for veterans in southeast Michigan, including underwriting special $10 tickets for veterans to attend "Heroes Night" concerts performed in Orchestra Hall.

Concerts (all in 2018) include:

Beethoven's Seventh:

Friday, March 23 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 24 at 8 p.m.

PNC Pops Series presentation of The Doo Wop Project:

Friday, May 18 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 19 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 20 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are available at DSO.org, by calling (313) 576-5111 or in-person at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center Box Office (3711 Woodward Avenue, Detroit). Use promo code: HEROESNIGHT.

"Our partnership with the DSO provides an opportunity to demonstrate our support and gratitude for the members of the U.S. armed forces, their families and the community," said Shane Karr, Head of External Affairs, FCA – North America and President, FCA Foundation.

The FCA Foundation and FCA US not only share a long history with the DSO, the Foundation and the Company also have an extensive history of supporting veterans and their families. FCA US received Silver Status as a Michigan Friendly Employer by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency in recognition of recruitment strategies aimed at veterans. Currently, FCA US has 23 employees on active military leave, with 434 currently serving as active or inactive reservists and guardsmen and more than 5,100 employees are military veterans.

The partnership with the DSO will also enable the orchestra to collaborate with the John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Hospital, sending musicians to perform at the hospital and providing for DSO webcasts in patient rooms. The first of these collaborations will occur November 9 at the hospital's Medical Center Atrium.

"The DSO is incredibly grateful to FCA US and the FCA Foundation for their support in helping us reach veterans of the U.S. armed forces and their families across southeastern Michigan," said Jill Elder, Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Detroit Symphony Orchestra. "The DSO is committed to providing opportunities for all people to experience their world through music, and we look forward to welcoming these heroes to Orchestra Hall later this season."

About the DSO
Hailed by The New York Times as "cutting edge," the internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, visionary maestros, collaborations with the world's foremost musical artists, and an ardent commitment to Detroit. As a community-supported orchestra, generous giving by individuals and institutions at all levels drives the continued success and growth of the institution. Esteemed conductor Leonard Slatkin, called "America's Music Director" by the Los Angeles Times, became the DSO's 12th Music Director, endowed by the Kresge Foundation, in 2008. Acclaimed conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik serves as Principal Pops Conductor, while celebrated trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard holds the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair. With growing attendance and unwavering philanthropic support from the Detroit community, the DSO's performance schedule includes Classical, Pops, Jazz, Young People's, and Neighborhood concerts, and collaborations with high profile artists from Steven Spielberg to Ben Folds and Lang Lang. In July 2017, the DSO embarked on its first international tour in 16 years, making its debut in China and first visit to Japan in 19 years. A commitment to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast, and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series, which also reaches tens of thousands of children with the Classroom Edition expansion. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, one of America's most acoustically perfect concert halls, the DSO actively pursues a mission to embrace and inspire individuals, families, and communities through unsurpassed musical experiences.

About the FCA Foundation
The FCA Foundation is committed to rebalancing inequalities to promote the full realization of every human being. We seek to support outcomes in our communities that ensure people can enjoy equality and dignity. The FCA Foundation directs its resources toward the following areas of focus:

Youth Development – helping young people develop the leadership qualities and resiliency necessary to succeed in school, at work, and in life.
Education – building the skills and competencies that lead to achievement and support educational access and success.
Military/Veterans – ensuring veterans successfully transition to civilian life and that the needs of military service members and their families are supported.
Service – leveraging the talents and contributions of all members of the community.

SOURCE FCA US LLC