Robinson describes City of Trees as a plea for the children of his hometown deep in Detroit where a child who loves to read and learn is often brutally cut down as "acting white" for wanting to succeed... even by siblings and parents. Where is the hope?

1 MP3 Songs in this album (9:16) !
Related styles: Classical: New Music Ensemble, Urban/R&B: Motown, Spiritual



Details:
Highland Park, MI: City of Trees portrays the struggles I witnessed growing up there thru the metaphor of the tall Dutch Elm trees that once towered high over the streets swaying in the wind. The trees were like young people growing stronger and reaching for the stars. Highland Park was widely known as the beautiful City of Trees until all were wiped out by Dutch Elm diseases in the 1970s. Since then, on the mean, barren streets of my hometown, many human ambitions are also cut down by gangs, under-achievers and a general attitude that suspiciously views reading a book, earning good grades or speaking English correctly as âacting whiteâ. Struggle and tragedy prevail as big dreams are challenged and sometimes brutally repressed, even by jealous siblings and parents. Can we please break this cycle?

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra musicians playing are:
Geoff Applegate, violin I
Kim Kaloyanides Kennedy, violin II
Jim Van Valkenburg, viola I
Caroline Coade, viola II
Robert deMaine, cello
Rick Robinson, bass