Jane Sherman 02

September 6, 2003

Abstract

Jane Sherman explains why Max decided to fund the Max Fisher Center of the DSO.
Credit: Mort Crim Communications

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Well, I think first of all, the fact that he wanted to give back to the community. And it’s important because it’s not just the Symphony, which is major. If you told me five years ago, my father was going to give ten cents to the Symphony—I don’t care how involved Peter was—I would have told you, ‘You’re crazy.’ Because my father—even though my mother was a very, very fine pianist—didn’t know the first thing about music. And I think he’s tone deaf anyway. He, you know, he hasn’t been to—maybe he’s been to three concerts; Orchestra Hall, or Ford Auditorium before that. But what I think sold him on this project was the fact that they were going to have this Performing Arts School, where you’re going to have kids from the inner-city that have a chance, and that’s a chance to give back to the city. Had it been just the Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra Hall, I think that he would have not bought this, but he was very, very in tune to the fact that he wanted to give something back to the community, which he’s done. I’m sure that’s what sold him. I’m sure that it’s not the fact that the Detroit Symphony is playing there, it’s the fact that he’s got all these kids that have an opportunity to get a musical career.