Keep the music alive!
There is a special joy that can only be found in the powerful blending of voices united in song. Through the centuries, music has helped capture the spirit and essence of great moments.
Encouraging the future generation of musical talent is essential to preserving this tradition. A special fund has been established in the name of Detroit Concert Choir’s Founding Director, Gordon Nelson. The Fund was designed to:
- Honor Gordon Nelson and keep his memory alive
- Support our efforts to encourage young people to join the Detroit Concert Choir by helping defray membership costs
- Provide financial assistance to worthy young musicians who share in the Detroit Concert Choir’s artistry
To support this funding opportunity, please designate Nelson Scholarship Fund in the memo line of your donation to the Detroit Concert Choir.
Meet the recipients of the Gordon Nelson Scholarship 2024-2025 Season
 KAREN COOK, soprano, is active as a choral artist with ensembles across the country, including the Berwick Chorus of the Oregon Bach Festival, the Spoleto Festival USA Chorus, the Baroque on Beaver Festival, Audivi, sounding light, ProArteOHIO, The Union, Vox GR, Beyond, Choral Artists of Michigan, Detroit Concert Choir, Toledo Opera, and Mariner’s Church of Detroit Choir. Karen has frequently been featured as a soloist in performances, including Bach's St. John Passion and Magnificat, Fauré’s Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, Schubert's Mass in G, and Vivaldi’s Gloria. She has enjoyed singing with the DCC since 2016. Karen lives in Ypsilanti with her husband, Matt, and six other ladies: two dogs and four chickens. |
 KATIE HILL, soprano, holds a Music Education Degree from Michigan State University. While attending, she performed in the MSU Opera Theatre program in various operas, including Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, and Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito. She recently enjoyed working as the music director for Stagecrafters’ Youth Theater program this past summer after returning from the European concert tour with the Detroit Concert Choir. Katie is the choir director at Warner Middle School in Farmington, where she teaches 6-8th grade students. She is excited to participate in her 3rd year with the DCC and looks forward to the season. |
 MARYN O’BRIEN is a classically trained mezzo-soprano from southeast Michigan who received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Oakland University in 2019. Although she spends her days managing a vintage shop in Royal Oak, Maryn continues to pursue music through choral singing as a member of the Detroit Concert Choir and the Grosse Pointe Community Chorus. Recently, Maryn’s creative experiences in performance and garment history and modification have culminated in costuming local shows, including the DCC’s 2024 Connoisseur Series production of Donizetti’s The Night Bell and Opera De Metro’s 2024 inaugural production of David Conte’s The Gift of the Magi. |
