The Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival was founded in 1994 as a vision of James Tocco and his brother, Msgr Anthony M. Tocco, pastor at St. Hugo of Hills Catholic Church. Through them, a remarkable relationship between religious and cultural institutions was formed.
Each season has brought a rotating contingent of world-class musicians to the festival and it has grown into an event of national significance.
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the fourth-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, continues this season of their Neighborhood Concert Series with a few spring concerts in seven different Southeast Michigan communities, including four right here in Oakland County.
Barbershop harmony is a a classic American art form, that has seen a recent resurgence, one that has not been seen since the do-wop era of the 50’s. TV shows like Glee and the Sing-off have introduced a new audience to the wonders of a cappella singing. It not only is a good social outlet, many studies have shown health benefits to group singing.
And while most modern barbershop groups still sing the traditional songs, they are also reinventing and expanding the sound, while at the same time keeping the tradition of the music alive.
