African-American Orchestra Fellow Joshua Jones visits Detroit schools
In celebration of the DSO’s Classical Roots Week, percussionist and African-American Orchestra Fellow Joshua Jones visited four Detroit area schools to perform for students and talk about drums, sounds, music, and life as an artist.
The first visit took place on Jan. 29 at Chandler Park Academy in Harper Woods. The subsequent three visits, all at Detroit schools, took place on March 1, 2, and 4, at Spain Elementary/Middle School, Plymouth Educational Center, and International Preparatory Academy, respectively.
“I try not to make it like there’s an adult onstage, you know, acting like an adult,” says Jones, whose positive energy is infectious. “I just like playing, I’m just happy people are inspired or at least having fun in the moment.”
Jones performed music on a variety of instruments, including snare drum, tambourine, and his beloved vibraphone. He talked to students about his own musical journey, beginning with a Mickey Mouse drum set at age 3, and how he was introduced to different instruments at different times in his life. Most importantly, Jones demonstrated that the excitement, discovery, and fun that come with learning an instrument are valuable no matter what a student’s goals are.
Jones takes his position as a mentor and role model seriously. “If I could, I’d do this all the time,” he says, laughing. Jones has been teaching and working with kids for more than 10 years, and regularly visits schools in his native Chicago. “I care that the kids can see an African-American male who’s not in jail, who’s not on drugs…and who is someone they can interact with afterwards. As a kid, it’s nice being able to see somebody come from where you are now.”
The DSO has for years been at the forefront of the movement to celebrate the contributions of minority composers and musicians, while increasing access and opportunities for youths in underserved communities to experience the magic of classical music. The visionary African-American Fellowship Program, for example, offers a yearlong performance residency with the DSO to one selected musician. Past DSO fellows have gone on to win positions in orchestras across the United States, including the DSO’s own Principal Trombone, Kenneth Thompkins.
Gifts to the DSO Annual Fund make projects like this possible. Jones’ in-school visits were supported by the Classical Roots Committee, the DSO, and the annual Classical Roots Concert and Celebration, which increases awareness of the contributions of African-American composers and musicians through performance and recordings.