World-reknown Cellist Takes Center Stage With Hundreds Of Delaware Valley Musicians
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A special concert was held at the Kimmel Center Saturday night, putting one of the world's greatest cello players on stage with hundreds of Delaware Valley residents for a free performance.
It's not everyday that your average amateur musician can take the stage and play side-by-side with world-reknown cellist Yo-Yo Ma, but that was exactly the case during the hour long 'PlayIN' at the Kimmel Center Saturday night.
For those not familiar with the 18-time grammy winner, this would be like having a shoot around with Michael Jordan, or tossing a football with Joe Montana - you're playing with one of the best in the world.
The event was part of the 'PlayIN' program, which lets amateur musicians from the Philadelphia area play at the Kimmel Center with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. A nice experience, but not quite as special as sharing the stage with Yo-Yo Ma according to Orchestra Cellist Yumi Kendall.
"It was a particularly special treat, because we had Yo-Yo Ma. Oh my gosh! How awesome is that? On stage with Yo-Yo Ma. A hundred cellists from around the area getting to share the stage with him. That was an enourmous treat for all of us."
Kendall admits that even she was a little star-struck at first.
"But he's so great at putting everybody around him at ease and he's so charismatic and so connected with what's happening that I think he really helps those of us that might have gotten star-struck a little less so, because we remind ourselves that we're all human beings and we're connected through music," she says.
The 'PlayIN' events are open to anyone in the Delaware Valley. You can find information about taking part, and 'PlayIN' dates online at www.PhilaOrch.org.