Northwest Wayne News

From February 13, 2023

• Spring event will feature special guest Broadway, film and television star LaChanze  
• Choir will perform their “greatest hits” from “America’s Got Talent," beloved Broadway shows and gospel selections to wow hometown fans
• Premiere event launches the Friends of Detroit Youth Choir campaign to ensure non-profit organization's longevity
• Concert comes as Disney+ completes production on documentary series focused on Detroit Youth Choir's impact on young lives

As the Detroit Youth Choir prepares for its appearance in the finals of “America’s Got Talent All-Stars" next week, the talented troupe announced today it will host its first major annual spring concert at Orchestra Hall to bring their AGT greatest hits and others to hometown fans. 

The choir will be joined by a very special guest: Stage, film and TV star LaChanze, who won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Celie in the original Broadway production of “The Color Purple.”

The Detroit Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship is a partner in the event, "An American Treasure: Detroit Youth Choir in Concert with Broadway star LaChanze." The concert will take place 5 p.m. Sunday, March 19th at Orchestra Hall and will feature some hits live that fans could only see before on TV or online. Among them will be their most recent Golden Buzzer rendition of Imagine Dragons’ “Thunder,” which AGT judge Simon Cowell called “absolute creative magic.” 

Thanks to the generous support of the Skillman Foundation and the Detroit Pistons all proceeds from the event will support the choir.  Concert tickets are available starting noon Monday, February 13 at https://AmericanTreasureConcert.EventBrite.com 

The Concert comes just weeks before the choir gains yet another round of international attention when Disney+ airs a six-episode documentary series about the DYC entitled Choir. The series follows Choir Director Anthony White, his staff and performers as they prepare for an extraordinary opportunity: a by-invitation performance at New York’s legendary Carnegie Hall. The doc will offer the most intimate and personal look at the choir and its impact in its 26-year history.

LaChanze, who also is currently appears in the CBS hit East New York, said she was thrilled to come to Detroit and perform with the young stars.

“I am so excited and proud to be joining the Detroit Youth Choir for this special performance,” said LaChanze. “I see myself in these tremendous young people who are so passionate about music and song. Detroit is an incredible city so full of talent and I'm honored to share the stage with some of its brightest young stars.”

Concert is latest ACE cultural partnership

The event is the latest that Detroit ACE is co-hosting as it increases its partnerships with great city assets to ensure that all Detroiters enjoy the multitude of talent that exists in Detroit. Last year, Detroit ACE partnered on a series of neighborhood concerts with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as part of a new initiative to grow the orchestra’s relationship with Detroiters. ACE is providing promotional support for the DYC because the choir is bringing positive attention to Detroit at a time when the city is getting glowing reviews on everything from its waterfront to its murals.

“The Detroit Youth Choir is one of Detroit’s greatest cultural assets and my office is thrilled to help give the community an opportunity to see the choir perform in an incredible venue like Orchestra Hall,” said Rochelle Riley, Director of Arts and Culture for the City. “These incredible young performers have graced the stage of Carnegie Hall and America’s Got Talent, so it’s only fitting that Detroiters have a chance to see them and support them right here on Woodward Avenue in Detroit.” 

Choir Director Anthony White said the show will include songs the choir performed on AGT in 2019 and AGT All Stars in 2023, as well as hits from Broadway shows Hamilton, The Color Purple and The Lion King. The troupe also will present gospel favorites and selections from Motown and The Greatest Showman. 

“Our performers have a tremendous range, which spans Broadway, popular music, spirituals and more,” White said. “This show truly will have something for everybody. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity for our performers to be on stage with LaChanze, which will be incredible for them and memorable for our audience.”

Friends of Detroit Youth Choir Launches

To ensure the choir’s continuing success, the concert also will serve as the official launch the new Friends of Detroit Youth Choir, a campaign by the choir to generate regular giving among its individual supporters. Just being publicly announce today, founding members of the Friends of Detroit Youth Choir already include: 

• Melvin "Butch" Hollowell
• Carla Walker-Miller
• Deidra Lambert Bounds
• Rochelle Riley

Concert tickets will be available starting noon Monday, February 13 at  https://AmericanTreasureConcert.EventBrite.com 

VIP tickets include membership in Friends of DYC.

The Detroit Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship oversees the city’s investment in its creative economy, supports the city’s creative workforce and uses arts and culture as catalysts for neighborhood growth and youth education. Detroit ACE is currently activating arts alleys across the city and promoting Detroit Mural City, the initiative to document every mural in the city and make Detroit the No 1 city in the country in producing beautiful street art and a destination for mural tours.

The Detroit Youth Choir will bring it's greatest hits from America's Got Talent, beloved Broadway musicals and more to Orchestra Hall March 19

Original source can be found here.