UT Tyler Cowan Center and ETSO Present Yo-Yo Ma

April 24, 2017

UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Announce a Co-Presentation with World-Renowned Cellist, Yo-Yo Ma

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April 24, 2017

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

Editor's Note: This press release is presented on behalf of the ETSO and UT Tyler Cowan Center.

The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra will co-present a performance by renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, Sunday, September 17, 2017 at the UT Tyler Cowan Center at 7 p.m. The performance with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Richard Lee, conducting, will include Dvořák's Humoresque, and Sibelius' Symphony No.1 in E Minor. The evening will feature Mr. Ma performing Dvořák's dramatic Cello Concerto in B Minor.

A child prodigy, Ma began performing at age four and a half. A graduate of the Juilliard School and Harvard University, he is considered to be the reigning cellist of his generation. His prolific career as a soloist performing with orchestras around the world has brought collaborations with virtually every major conductor and musical ensemble. His career as a recording artist has resulted in more than 100 albums and earned 18 Grammy® Awards, often in collaboration with the world's leading artists. Yo-Yo Ma is also dedicated to bringing music to new generations through teaching, unique collaborations and special projects.

"It has been a dream for more than 15 years to bring Yo-Yo Ma to the area," said Susan Thomae-Morphew, UT Tyler Cowan Center Executive Director. "We are excited to work with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra again as we did when we jointly presented Itzhak Perlman. This would not be possible without the wonderful support of the community and the collaborative spirit of our two organizations."

"As a new-comer to Tyler, I am excited to work collaboratively with the UT Tyler Cowan Center to finally be able to present Yo-Yo Ma together," added Vanessa Gardner, ETSO Executive Director.

Yo-Yo Ma was born in 1955 to Chinese parents living in Paris. He began to study the cello with his father at age four and soon came with his family to New York, where he spent most of his formative years. Later, his principal teacher was Leonard Rose at the Juilliard School. He sought out a traditional liberal arts education to expand upon his conservatory training, graduating from Harvard University in 1976. He has received numerous awards, including the Avery Fisher Prize (1978), the Glenn Gould Prize (1999), the National Medal of the Arts (2001), the Dan David Prize (2006), the Leonie Sonning Music Prize (2006), the World Economic Forum's Crystal Award (2008), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2010), the Polar Music Prize (2012) and the Vilcek Prize in Contemporary Music (2013). In 2011, Mr. Ma was recognized as a Kennedy Center Honoree. Appointed a CultureConnect Ambassador by the United States Department of State in 2002, Mr. Ma has met with, trained and mentored thousands of students worldwide in countries including Lithuania, Korea, Lebanon, Azerbaijan and China. He also serves as a UN Messenger of Peace. He has performed for eight American presidents, most recently at the invitation of President Obama on the occasion of the 56th Inaugural Ceremony. He plays two instruments, a 1733 Montagnana cello from Venice and the 1712 Davidoff Stradivarius.

This concert will be a Frances Cowan Gibson Classical Music Event and a Braithwaite Performing Arts program with additional support from the Women's Symphony League of Tyler. Media sponsors are KETK NBC, Sunny106.5 and Lamar Advertising.

East Texas Symphony Orchestra 5-concert series subscribers and UT Tyler Cowan Center Braithwaite Intimate Gatherings Series subscribers will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets beginning July 17. Public sales begin on August 21, 2017.

For additional information or interviews, contact Terri Holland, 903.566.7266 or tholland@uttyler.edu.