Wayne State University will offer its 32nd annual Salute to Downtown Detroit Concert at noon Tuesday, Nov. 24, in Old St. Mary's Church, 646 Monroe at St. Antoine in Greektown.

The tradition, which opens the holiday season for the Detroit area, was begun by music Professor Emeritus Malcolm Johns in 1966 and has been continued by Professor and Chairman Dennis Tini.

Robert Barnhart, music director of Old St. Mary's, will open the event with an organ prelude, followed by compositions for organ, choruses, orchestra and Brass Ensemble. The concert will feature Poulenc's Gloria and WSU Professor James Lentini's Music for Brass.

Concert founder Johns will be present to conduct Brahms' How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place. Selections will be performed by the Women's Chorale, Men's Glee Club, Concert Chorale, Choral Union and the Symphonic Chorus and Orchestra. The audience will continue the custom of singing the Hymn of Thanksgiving and St. George's Windsor.

This year's concert is dedicated to Professor Emeritus Robert Lawson, who was with the music department from 1947-84. He served as chairman from 1964-84 and died August 2, 1998.

No admission will be charged for the concert, however donations will be accepted. Parking is available in the Monroe Street structure across the street from the church.

For more information call the WSU department of music at (313) 577-1795.