DETROIT, MI (October 31, 2006) – The Wayne State University Department of Music will proudly present the 40th Annual Salute Concert to Downtown Detroit at noon on Tuesday, November 21, 2006. This annual lunchtime concert, which honors the city of Detroit and celebrates the beginning of the holiday season, will feature WSU Choral Ensembles and Orchestra, as well as organ soloist and WSU alumnus David Wagner (’70, ’73). The performance will be held in Greektown’s historic 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 Annual Salute Concerts, founded by the late Malcolm Johns in 1967, were originally designated as “Thanksgiving” concerts and have grown be an institution treasured by Wayne State and the Metropolitan Detroit Community. As part of the 40th anniversary celebration, the WSU Symphonic Chorus and Orchestra will perform two large choral works, both performed previously as part of these annual Salute Concerts. Under the direction of Kypros Markou, the chorus and orchestra will perform Mozart’s Laudate Dominum, first performed in 1999 and again in 2001 at the 35th Annual Salute Concert in memory of Malcolm Johns. Under the direction of Dennis J. Tini, Music Director and Conductor of the Salute Concerts from 1977-2004, the chorus and orchestra will perform Haydn’s Te Deum Laudamus, first performed in 1969. The concert will also feature an organ prelude by WSU Music alumnus David Wagner (‘70, ’73). Performing short programs will be the WSU Concert Chorale and the University Orchestra, under the direction of Norah Duncan IV and Kypros Markou respectively. Stephanie Weessies (Farmington Hills) will be featured as soprano soloist in Laudate Dominum.