Yo-Yo Ma and the Civic Orchestra celebrate the power of music
December 10, 2012 11:40PM
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma smiles at Civic Orchestra of Chicago Concertmaster Emily Nash during the performance of Dvorak's Cello Concerto at Senn High School during a free open rehearsal concert Monday December 10, 2012. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times
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Acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma participated in a sort of “Mr. Holland’s Opus” with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago at Senn High School on Monday night. Led by principal conductor Cliff Colnot, the Civic Orchestra and Ma presented a free open rehearsal of Dvorak’s Cello Concerto and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 (“Pastoral”).
The community rehearsal is part of the CSO’s support of the newly announced Chicago Public School Arts Education Plan, which promotes the role that local schools can have as cultural hubs for their neighborhoods.
This event is also a part of the CSO’s ongoing Citizen Musician initiative. Launched in 2011 by the CSO, Citizen Musician program empowers musicians and music lovers to strengthen their communities through the sharing of music. Ma, the CSO’s Judson & Joyce Green creative consultant, and the CSO participate in events at schools, hospitals and community organizations in Chicago and worldwide. Ma recently visited veterans participating in the Musicorps program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington, D.C., to highlight their Citizen Musician work.
