The Detroit Symphony Orchestra - Detroit, Michigan - fourth oldest symphony orchestra in the country

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is the fourth oldest in the United States, and for most of its almost 100 years, has been one of the most respected orchestras in the country. In addition to its regular program of concerts that are listened to by an estimated 450,000 people every year, since 1926 the orchestra has also hosted a popular series of free educational concerts for children.

The DSO had modest beginnings. In 1914, a small group of Detroit society women each contributed $100, hired a young church organist named Weston Gales to be the first musical director; and the Detroit Symphony was born. The orchestra's first performance was given at the Old Opera House in Detroit, although it soon became clear that a more permanent home would be needed.

The orchestra enjoyed a major boost when in 1918, the well known Russian pianist Ossip Gabrilowitsch accepted the post of music director - only on condition that a brand new and permanent venue be constructed. Orchestra Hall was designed by local architect C. Howard Crane, who was also responsible for designing several other Detroit theaters, and was completed in 1919 in just a few months. In 1922 it was the venue for the world's first radio broadcast of a concert symphony.

During the 1930s, the DSO suffered two major misfortunes. Gabrilowitsch died in 1936, and the Great Depression resulted in serious financial problems and the orchestra having to move to various different venues. In 1989, the DSO finally returned to Orchestra Hall, following extensive renovations. Neeme Jarvi became musical director during this time period, remaining at the helm until 2005. In 2003, further renovations helped to make Orchestral Hall one of the top venues in the city and in the entire Midwest, and an education wing and a recital hall were also added. In 2007, the DSO announced that Leonard Slatkin would become the DSO's 12th music director. Slatkin is the current director.

The DSO has enjoyed many successes over the years; it has released recordings on many famous labels, including Victor, Decca and RCA; and also provided the backing strings on many big Motown hits during the 1950s and 60s. The DSO also released the first CD to win the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque, with its recording of Stravinsky's The Rites of Spring. The Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra was established as part of a training program in conjunction with the DSO, and today this is one of the most prestigious programs for children living in the Detroit area.

Today, the DSO still enjoys success in its permanent home in Orchestra Hall, a grand building which is located on Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit and accessible by public transportation. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and is generally considered to be one of the most acoustically perfect venues anywhere in the world. Guided tours of the building and the behind the scenes production are available, and the DSO also encourages volunteers, both individual and corporate, to support their music.