Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra Announces Final Concert

From the Grosse Pointe Symphony Board: The Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra conducted by Joe Striplin will be presenting its final concert of the season with a Latin flavor and a birthday tribute to William Grant Still. The concert will take place Sunday, May at 7 p.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. ( 467 Fairford Grosse Pointe Woods)

Charles Greenwell will give a pre-concert talk at 6 p.m.

The program begins with infectious latin beat of Chabrier's España. The soloist for the evening continues the intoxicating latin rhythms with Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole played by Marguerite Deslippe,violinist from the Detroit Symphony and Grosse Pointe Symphony concertmaster. Marguerite Deslippe was born in Riviere-aux-Canards, Ontario. As a teenager, she was comfortable with every genre of music. At the age of 8, she was invited to perform in Toronto as one of Canada's promising young artists.

As a child, she also studied piano, voice, and flute. While still in high school, Marguerite performed regularly in chamber music series in Canada and Michigan. As concertmaster of the Windsor Symphony, her quartet was featured on national CBC broadcasts, both on radio and television. She attended Wayne State University on a full scholarship, and studied with former DSO violinist Emily Austin.

As a student, she spent much of her time in recording studios, working with Motown artists. Marguerite has also studied with members of the Concord String Quartet and members of the Fine Arts Trio. She furthered her skills studying with Steven Staryk, one of the leading concertmasters and soloists of our time. Marguerite won her audition in Detroit while in her mid twenties, and since then has performed in chamber concerts at the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Brunch with Bach Series, the Cranbrook American Artist Series, and the Marygrove Saturdays at Four Series. Marguerite is also high in demand as a private teacher, and enjoys coaching student ensembles. Her principal instrument is a French instrument crafted in the 18th century by Pique. Marguerite is the mother of two sons. Her family shares the house with three Samoyeds that are all adopted from rescue shelters.

For the birthday celebrating William Grant Still's birth May 11, 1895 the orchestra will play his 4th Symphony. Written in 1947 it is subtitled "Autochthonous". He intended the symphony to represent the spirit of the American people: their optimism, energy, warmth and spirituality. The music speaks of the fusion of musical cultures in North America freely mixing them in his own inimitable style.

Tickets are available on line at gpsymphony.org or at the door.

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