David FordIndie artist David Ford will be backed by strings from the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in a June 11 concert.

Concert signals closer collaboration between university and orchestra

The University’s sponsorship of a concert featuring singer-songwriter David Ford with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra heralds a closer relationship between the orchestra and the School of Creative Arts, says president Alan Wildeman.

“We have a long-standing collaboration with the WSO and continue to look for ways to develop the relationship to the benefit of the Windsor-Essex community,” Dr. Wildeman says. “We are excited to have David Ford returning to Windsor, and to help us showcase the additional opportunities for partnership as we prepare for the opening of the downtown campus of our School of Creative Arts, just around the corner from the symphony’s home in the Capitol Theatre.”

Ford will be accompanied by WSO strings for the concert on Saturday, June 11. Profits from the event will go to the WSO.

"David is an inspired musical artist, twice being recognized in the UK with Album of the Year by the Sunday Times,” says Wildeman. “He is a great song-writer, multi-instrumentalist, and performer, and I know he is thrilled to be playing with players from the WSO.”

Ford says the program will feature a selection of songs from his previous recordings that will be re-shaped by the collaboration.

“For me it’s an opportunity to present old songs in new ways, to bring out different elements hiding in the music,” says Ford. “The sound of string instruments playing together is just a unique kind of beauty that can turn a good show into something kind of magical.”

The Capitol Theatre is located at 121 University Avenue West. Find more information about the concert, including ticket details, on the orchestra’s website.