For Immediate Release

CONTACT: Matt Friedman
248-626-0006
mfriedman@tannerfriedman.com

PBS, DPTV & DETROIT SYMPHONY TEAM UP TO PUT "LIVE FROM ORCHESTRA HALL" PERFORMANCES ON NATIONAL STAGE

Partnership to include multi-platform distribution of live webcasts and curated collection of encore presentations

DETROIT, (February 13, 2014) – Thanks to an innovative partnership between PBS.org, Detroit Public Television (DPTV) and Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO), music from the Woodward corridor will have a larger stage than ever. The DSO’s “Live From Orchestra Hall” series of free HD webcasts will be available to national audiences through PBS.org, beginning with the Feb. 14 live webcast at 10:45 a.m. EST featuring Giancarlo Guerrero conducting and Daniil Trifinov performing Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

Additionally, each Thursday, a new episode of Live From Orchestra Hall will stream on-demand for seven days on PBS.org, the PBS mobile app and the PBS apps for Apple TV, Roku and Xbox. The first episode will be available on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. EST., featuring a performance of Beethoven’s Symphonies 4 and 5 conducted by DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin, and remain available through Thursday, Feb. 27.

The new partnership is part of PBS’ focus on the arts, and public television’s ongoing commitment to giving audiences a front row seat and a backstage pass to the best of the arts on-air and online.  "This partnership is the newest example of how the power of public media can be a tool for helping important cultural organizations to fulfill their missions," said Rich Homberg, President and CEO of Detroit Public Television. "We are proud to have this opportunity to showcase the top-tier talent Detroit has to offer to a national and potentially worldwide audience."

In April 2011, the DSO launched the groundbreaking Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series at dso.org/live, becoming the first orchestra in the world to offer a series of free live webcasts for a global audience. Since then Live from Orchestra Hall expanded to include mobile viewing via the DSO to Go mobile app for iPhone, iPad, and Droid devices; partnerships with the world’s top classical streaming sites, including Russia-based Paraclassics.com and UK-based ClassicalTV.com; and a series of digital-only albums available for streaming and download.  Now watched in over 80 countries, Live from Orchestra Hall is presented by the Ford Motor Company Fund, made possible by the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and produced in collaboration with DPTV.

“We are so pleased to work with Detroit Public Television to bring the DSO to music lovers across the United States,” said Donald Thoms, Vice President of Programming and Talent Management, PBS. “This collaboration fits perfectly with PBS’ mission to give audiences access to the best of the arts.”

“The DSO’s webcasts enable our vision to become more accessible and better serve audiences locally and around the world,” said Anne Parsons, DSO President & CEO. “We are so grateful to PBS for this new partnership, and want to especially thank DPTV and Richard Homberg’s team for making this inspired connection.” 

ABOUT THE DSO

The internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in December 2012, is known for trailblazing performances, visionary maestros, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and an unwavering commitment to Detroit. Esteemed conductor Leonard Slatkin, called “America’s Music Director” by the Los Angeles Times, became the 12th Music Director of the DSO during the 2008-09 season. Acclaimed conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik serves as Principal Pops Conductor while celebrated trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard holds the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair. The DSO’s performance schedule includes Classical, Pops, Jazz, Young People’s, Neighborhood concerts, and collaborations with chart-topping musicians from Smokey Robinson to Kid Rock. A commitment to broadcast innovation began in 1922 when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall and the Max M. Fisher Music Center, one of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, the DSO actively pursues a mission to impact and serve the community through music. For more information visit dso.org or download the free DSO to Go mobile app. 

ABOUT DEROIT PUBLIC TELEVISION

WTVS-TV, Detroit Public Television (DPTV) is the viewer-supported PBS member station serving the nation's 11th largest television market, with 1.5 million weekly viewers in Southeast Michigan and 1.2 million weekly viewers across Canada. In partnership with its community, Detroit Public TV leads on program initiatives in the categories of health and the environment, public affairs, arts and culture and children.  A leading national producer and distributor of PBS programs and winner of a 2012 Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Award, Detroit Public TV is the only dual PBS licensee / entertainment label in the country, operating as DPTV Media.  WTVS broadcasts on digital channel 43 (virtual subchannels 56.1, 56.2, and 56.3), and is carried on cable and satellite systems throughout Southeast Michigan and over a thousand communities in Canada, and online at www.dptv.org, with DSO performances at www.dptv.org/dso.

About PBS

PBS, with its over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 109 million people through television and over 28 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter

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