12 | OCTOBER 21 • 2021 

H

arold Kulish and George 
Nyman — longtime friends 
sharing an appreciation for 
hearing music and playing musical 
instruments — have become focused 
on providing similar experiences for 
young people. 
They’re hoping Metro Detroiters will 
join them in creating opportunities 
along those lines, especially through-
out October.
An idea they had two years ago and 
communicated to administrators at the 
Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) 
spurred the development of Detroit 
Harmony, an initiative to provide 
instruments and teach instrumental 
skills to Detroit K-12 students in pub-
lic and private schools. 
Throughout this month, there will 
be an inaugural drive for 2,500 instru-

ments, new and used. Organizations 
and businesses have responded by 
offering drop-off sites. 
The highlight will be Oct. 30 at 
Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, 
where the Michigan State University’s 
Spartan Marching Band and the 
University of Michigan’s Michigan 
Marching Band play up collection 
efforts as football fans attend that day’s 
game. 
The schools plan to publicize the 
event on their social media.
“We couldn’t be proud-
er to support Detroit 
Harmony,
” said U-M 
Band Director John 
Pasquale. “Music is such 
a powerful force in the 
world, and we look for-
ward to collecting instru-

ments to provide to Detroit students.
”
David Thornton, 
associate band director 
at MSU, said, “We are 
thrilled to be partnering 
with DSO, Harmony and 
the Michigan Marching 
Band to help the students 
of Detroit. Providing 
musical opportunities and 
experiences for our greater Michigan 
community is something that is 
incredibly important and is at the core 
of what we do as an organization.
”
The DSO is passionate about music 
education, according to Erik Rönmark, 
DSO vice president and general man-
ager. “It’s great to see this art form con-
tinue. Music education is so important 
in finding ways for young people to 
express themselves through instru-

OUR COMMUNITY

Community members and 
musicians team up to seek 
donations of instruments 
for 2,500 Detroit schoolkids.

 A
Note-Worthy 
 
 Cause

David 
Thornton

John 
Pasquale

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

