An Associated Press report published in Thursday’s (10/18) Washington Post states, “Famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma will continue his role as a creative consultant with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra through June 2015, the orchestra announced Wednesday. Ma was appointed to the newly created position in January 2010 and has spent much of his time in Chicago working with the symphony’s educational programs. CSO music director Riccardo Muti said Ma’s continued involvement will support his focus on encouraging a new generation of music and music lovers. … Ma described his role as ‘a kind of ambassadorship for our city, for our country, for musical values which are in fact human values.’ Earlier this week, he attended an event at Perez Elementary School in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood with famed soprano Renee Fleming, who holds a similar position with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. … Ma is a major supporter of Citizen Musician, an initiative that launched in Chicago in 2011 with Ma performing and speaking to students in public schools. It has since expanded internationally. CSO musicians also have participated in the program, performing at New York City schools, a Russian orphanage and a children’s rehabilitation center in Mexico.”
Posted October 18, 2012
