Cellists Mark Kosower and Mingyao Zhao Performances Set

Internationally acclaimed cellists Mark Kosower and Mingyao Zhao will visit The University of Scranton for two mid-April performances.

Kosower and Zhao will present a recital on Sunday, April 14, then return the evening of Thursday, April 18, to join The University of Scranton String Orchestra for a program that includes the world premiere of composer Nate Sparks’ new work for string orchestra and the virtuosic cello duo, “La Gran Conversión.”

Both events, presented by Performance Music at The University of Scranton, begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free and open to the public, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

The students will work with the guest artists throughout the week of the mini-residency visit, according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga. “We are always delighted to have Mark here – his impact on the development of our young string orchestra during previous visits cannot be overstated – and are very excited that this time his wife, also an acclaimed cellist, will be joining him.”

A frequent visitor to the University in recent years, Kosower has served as the principal cellist of the Cleveland Orchestra since 2010. He has appeared as a soloist with symphony orchestras throughout the world, guested at international chamber music festivals, recorded for multiple labels, regularly serves as faculty for a variety of prestigious schools and festivals. He is in demand internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, teacher and champion of the instrument. Kosower is also the founder of the “Bach for Humanity” initiative, which aims to bring people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds together via presentations of Bach’s music in various community settings.

Recognized internationally for her dynamic performances, Zhao has extensive experience as a soloist, recitalist, orchestral and chamber musician in China, the United States, Canada, Korea and Poland. She has received numerous accolades through the years, including first prize in the Haydn Competition at CelloFest, the Aldo Parisot Award, Arkady Fomin Young Artist Award, the silver medal at the Texas Young Artist Music Competition, and the bronze medal at the IX Carlos Prieto International Cello Competition. Zhao frequently performs as substitute cellist with the Cleveland Orchestra and serves on the faculty of the College of Wooster.

A 2017 graduate of The Juilliard School, Sparks has written for performing ensembles throughout the United States, including Lucky Chops, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, ABS Chamber Orchestra, the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, Bobby Sanabria and the Multiverse Big Band, the MSM Afro-Cuban Orchestra, Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, Kyle Athayde Dance Party and Joseph Boga and the Scranton Ramblers. On May 4, The University of Scranton Concert Band and Concert Choir will premiere two new works by Sparks at Performance Music’s 41st Annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert.

The University of Scranton String Orchestra is a 30-plus-member ensemble comprised of members of the University community from majors and departments spanning the curriculum – most of them undergraduate students, joined by a few graduate students, alumni and faculty members. With no music major at the University, the performers are united by their mutual love of making music.

For further information about the performance, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit the Performance Music website. For additional information on Kosower, visit clevelandorchestra.com/discover/meet-the-musicians/cellos/Kosower-mark. For more on Zhao, visit wooster.edu/bio/mzhao, and for more on Sparks, visit natesparksmusic.com.