DETROIT, MI (November 11, 2005) – The Wayne State University Department of Music will celebrate their 39th Annual Salute Concert to Downtown Detroit with a performance of Dave Brubeck’s “To Hope! A Celebration” at noon on Tuesday, November 22, 2005. This annual concert, which honors the city of Detroit and celebrates the beginning of the holiday season, will feature the Matt Michaels Jazz Quartet and the WSU Symphonic Chorus and Orchestra. The lunch hour performance will be held in Greektown’s Old St. Mary’s Church, located at 646 Monroe Street in Detroit. Admission is free and open to the public. For additional information call (313) 577-1795 or visit www.music.wayne.edu.

The piece, a mass in the Revised Roman Ritual, was commissioned by Our Sunday Visitor and recorded live in 1996 at the Washington National Cathedral and performed by Brubeck’s quartet and the Cathedral Society Chorus & Orchestra. It incorporates jazz interludes between modern settings of traditional liturgical texts. With this large work, Brubeck has continued the tradition of setting the Roman Catholic mass in the style that reflects the culture of the people. It’s been said that the mass “…remembers the Latin and the Greek; It is Middle Eastern and middle European; It is Native American and Hispanic; it is past and present.” WSU Music faculty member and Associate Chair Norah Duncan IV will conduct the November 22 performance at Detroit’s Old St. Mary’s Church. Featured soloists include WSU students Rebecca Boucher (Royal Oak), Elizabeth Courier (Allen Park), Ronald Hirchberger (New Baltimore), Roman Laba (Warren), Mitchell Owens (Wyandotte), and Haley Vining (Grosse Ile).

The Matt Michaels Quartet is comprised of Michaels on piano, special guest Chris Collins, tenor sax, David Taylor, drums, and Donald Mayberry, bass. All members are well-known Detroit area musicians and members of Wayne State Music’s jazz faculty. The Quartet and the Archdiocesan Chorus of Detroit, also under the direction of Duncan, will perform the piece on Saturday, November 19 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in honor of the parish’s 100th Anniversary celebration. For additional information on the November 19, 7:30 p.m. performance call, (313) 865-6300.