A new chamber orchestra comprised mostly of local classical musicians is preparing to debut next month, promising a musical journey spanning centuries and featuring a world premiere. The newly-formed Dido Ensemble will perform at 4:00 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Mission Hill Church here in Traverse City. The ensemble plans to present a program that moves from Baroque opera to 1960s Motown hits, concluding with a new work by local composer Michael McLean.
The first concert will feature Andrea Sanderson, a musical colleague of McLean’s from Los Angeles, as the concertmaster and soloist. The performance will include pieces ranging from Henry Purcell’s opera “Dido and Aeneas” to an arrangement of Motown selections. Additionally, the ensemble will premiere McLean’s composition, “Ground on House of the Rising Sun,” which combines elements from both musical eras. McLean noted that the concert’s theme will explore the bass line, a common thread across diverse musical styles.
Michael McLean, a composer and music educator who recently moved back to Michigan after more than 25 years in Los Angeles, founded the Dido Ensemble. He is also the co-director of the Traverse City Philharmonic’s Civic String Ensembles. McLean explained that the ensemble's name is drawn from Purcell’s opera. He articulated a strong passion for ensuring the arts flourish in the area.
The formation of the Dido Ensemble comes during a notable period for musicians in the Traverse City area. The majority of the Dido Ensemble’s 15 players are also members of the Traverse City Philharmonic, whose musicians voted to unionize in August. Violinist Kaylee Erlewein clarified that the Dido Ensemble is distinct from any union negotiations. However, she added that the new group provides her and other musicians with additional opportunities to perform, particularly following adjustments to this year's TC Phil season.
Erlewein highlighted that the current Traverse City Philharmonic season includes only four concerts in its "Masterworks" series with a full symphony orchestra. She noted that while the number of public concerts remains consistent, the full symphony portion of the season is significantly smaller than usual, making the Dido Ensemble an important additional performance opportunity for musicians.
McLean underscored the importance of properly compensating musicians for their extensive work, noting that their contributions in practice, teaching, and performance are often undervalued. To ensure fair pay for the first concert, McLean successfully raised over $6,000 through a GoFundMe campaign. Furthermore, to ensure broad community access, tickets for the concert will be offered on a pay-as-you-can basis. McLean articulated a vision for fostering a more creative local culture, emphasizing the responsibility of musicians to contribute to this aim.