Yo-Yo Ma hired as creative consultant for Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Kudos to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for hiring the only cellist that we've all heard of: Yo-Yo Ma, who can now add "creative consultant to the CSO" to his distinguished list of job titles, which include musical ambassador, artistic director for a community outreach program, and go-to guy when it comes to buying music for your mildly cultured mother. According to Chicago Breaking News, Ma’s three-year contract with the CSO begins in January, when he'll start working with Music Director Designate Riccardo Muti and the CSO staff to build stronger bonds with community through programs for incarcerated/at-risk youth, a concert series for children ages 3-5, workshops for musicians at the high school and college level, and teaching kids how to shred on the cello (hopefully). Ma's taken residency at the CSO before, in the 2006-07 season as part of his Silk Road Project, a non-profit arts-and-education organization.
