DETROIT, MI (April 8, 2004) - The Wayne State Orchestra and Ford Motor Company Chorus, featuring Robert Conway, piano, will be performing Beethoven's Choral Fantasy at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 19, 2004. Admission for the concert is $3 for students and seniors and $5 for adults. The performance is being held on Wayne's campus in the Community Arts Auditorium, located at 5451 Cass Ave. at Kirby in Detroit. For additional information call (313) 577-1795 or visit WSU Department of Music website.

The WSU Orchestra, under the direction of Kypros Markou, will also be performing Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakof's Russian Easter Overture and Gabriel Faure's Pelleas and Melisande. This concert will be the last performance by the ensemble for the 2003-04 Season.

Ambassadors of Ford Motor Company, the Chorus includes over 70 employees, retirees and family members. The ensemble is currently under the direction of Randolf Blouse. Singing since 1944, the chorus has performed throughout the world, including Germany, France, Austria and Italy. Most recently, they performed at the 12th Annual "Somewhere in Time" Festival on Mackinaw Island in October 2003. In 2002, the ensemble completed their Freedom Concert Tour throughout northern Michigan, performing music from their latest CD album "Liberty: The Music that Moves America".

Wayne State's Orchestra performs a variety of literature, under the direction of Kypros Markou (Grosse Pointe Farms resident), from the symphonic and chamber orchestra repertories. The Orchestra joins forces with the WSU Choral Program and Opera Workshop for special performances of major choral works and fully staged operas. Distinguished faculty includes members from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, many often collaborating as soloists. The Annual Concerto Competition affords students the opportunity to perform solo works as well. The Orchestra's schedule includes one evening rehearsal each week, allowing alumni and experienced string players from the community to participate.