Cass Technical High School Harp & Vocal Ensemble To Celebrate 100 Years With Centennial Concert

Signature June 6 event at the historic Masonic Temple Detroit will honor a century of artistry, education and community impact

DETROIT — Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) today announced the Cass Technical High School Harp & Vocal Ensemble will celebrate its 100th anniversary with the Centennial Concert & Afterglow on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the historic Masonic Temple Detroit, 500 Temple St. The event will bring together alumni, students, educators, supporters and special guests for an evening honoring the ensemble’s rich legacy and enduring impact on Detroit’s cultural landscape.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. The evening will feature performances by current students, alumni and guest performers. Following the concert, guests are invited to attend the afterglow reception, where alumni and supporters will continue the celebration. 

Tickets for the Centennial Concert & Afterglow are $125 per person and include valet parking, complimentary soft drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres. Group ticket packages and full weekend event passes also are available. Proceeds support student programs, scholarships and enrichment opportunities for Cass Tech students through The Triangle Society.

“When students join this program, many have never learned to sing or have sung with a choir, especially one accompanied by harps. They leave the program having gained confidence, discipline, and a deeper understanding of what they are capable of achieving,” said Lydia Cleaver, director of the Harp & Vocal Program. “For 100 years, this ensemble has created opportunities for young people to grow through music, build community and carry Detroit’s artistic legacy forward. The Centennial Concert is more than a performance. It is a celebration of every student, alum and educator who helped shape this extraordinary tradition.”

Founded in 1926, the Cass Tech Harp and Vocal Ensemble is recognized as one of the nation’s longest-running and most respected public high school music programs. Since its founding, the highly selective program has shaped generations of student musicians through rigorous musical instruction, daily rehearsal and a commitment to artistic and performance excellence.

Known for its exceptional musicianship and artistic discipline, the ensemble has earned local, national and international recognition throughout its history. Alumni of the program have gone on to professional careers in music, education and the performing arts across the country and around the world.

A Cass Tech alumna, Cleaver assumed leadership of the program in 2007 and continues to inspire students through rigorous musical training and meaningful artistic expression while preserving the program’s longstanding tradition of excellence. Over the decades, the program has been guided by influential educators including Velma Froude, Patricia Terry-Ross and Cleaver, all of whom once participated in the program as students before returning to lead future generations of performers. 

Together, the Harp Program and Vocal Ensemble have helped establish the organization’s reputation for artistic excellence throughout Detroit and beyond.

The Centennial Concert & Afterglow is part of a three-day celebration taking place June 5 through June 7, which also includes the Opening Soirée: Melodies & Memories Meet & Greet on Friday, June 5, and the Centennial Picnic & Fellowship on Sunday, June 7.

To purchase tickets or learn more about the Cass Tech Harp & Vocal Centennial Celebration, visit https://www.casstechharpandvocal.com/event-details/centennial-concert-afterglow. For additionalinformation, contact Lydia Cleaver at Lydia.cleaver@detroit12.org. 

About Detroit Public Schools Community District
Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is Michigan’s largest public school system, serving more than 50,000 students at more than 100 schools in Detroit and Highland Park. DPSCD’s mission is to educate and empower every student in every community to become their best self and build a stronger Detroit. Learn more at detroitk12.org.