In 1885, twelve women pianists gathered together to establish a music club in Detroit. Their idea was to improve their musical performance skills and to promote good music in a city that, as of yet, had no symphony orchestra or concert management. At first, the group was limited to pianists, but soon after, the newly formed Tuesday Musicale admitted other instrumentalists and vocalists. The Tuesday Musicale has grown to include the following:
Associate members help to make up the enthusiastic audiences at the Tuesday morning concerts each season and serve as members and officers of The Tuesday Musicale’s governing body. The Tuesday Musicale began introducing artist concerts to Detroit audiences. Since 1888, an impressive list of artists has been presented: Paderewski, MacDowell, Nevin, Damrosch, Schumann-Heink, Gabrilovitsch, Hofmann, Kreisler, Lhevinne and Cadman. These artists were presented by the Tuesday Musicale prior to 1914, when the idea of a Detroit Symphony Orchestra was born in the home of a Tuesday Musicale member! The Tuesday Musicale makes annual contributions to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Opera Theater and Pro Mozart Society. It gives scholarships annually to the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, as well as several awards to its Student League. Members serve the metropolitan Detroit area as music teachers, soloists, vocalists and instrumental performers, in community orchestras, chamber groups and churches. They also volunteer to perform in hospitals, retirement and convalescent facilities. Although many changes have marked the growth of The Tuesday Musicale of Detroit during its 127 year history, including the admission of men to its ranks, it has not changed its dedication to fostering good music in the metro Detroit area.