The low hum of cello strings echoes over a packed auditorium while the cellist holds the note one beat, then two, then three. The audience sits entranced, waiting with wonder for the next note — the next moment of the performance.
After, hallways flood with eager listeners exciting over their most recent experience. This was the scene at the 10th anniversary Cello Festival of Southern Utah.
On Sept. 19 and 20, the Dolores Doré Eccles Fine Arts Center hosted the 10th anniversary of the Cello Festival of Southern Utah. The two-day event hosted cellists of all ages and levels, as well as members of the community who wished to see and participate in the event. There were rehearsals, competitions, concerts and classes, many of which were free to the public.
Ka-Wai Yu, associate professor of music at Utah Tech University, started this event in 2016 with the goal of building and uniting the music community in southern Utah.
“The idea is to bring people together,” Yu said. “Sometimes it’s often isolating [playing music]. You do your thing, I do my thing.”
Assistant dean of professional arts director Karman Wilson had this to say about Yu’s commitment to the event: “I will say that Dr. Yu works tirelessly to provide attendees of the festival with the incredible opportunity to learn from some if the best musicians in the world.”
As part of this commitment to the festival, the Cello Festival of Southern Utah partnered with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office. In collaboration with this sponsor, composer Li Kar-Yee, from Hong Kong, was commissioned to create a new piece titled “Over the Harbour.”
“It’s almost like a cultural exchange, in a way, bringing different colors to what we do,” Yu said.
Several well-known cellists performed at the event:
- Ka-Wai Yu
- Eric Yip
- Hojung Kim
- Daniel Gaisford
- Robert Tueller
- Elliott and Carey Cheney
- Kar-Yee Li
- Simona Barbu
- Nariaki Sugiura
- Peter Romney
These cellists performed, collaborated and hosted lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced cellists.
At the final event of the festival, many of the cellists came together to create a final, powerful experience for participants and to send off the celebrations. Workshop participants were also encouraged to participate in parts of the concert, based on their learning level and playing experience.
For those who couldn’t attend this year, livestreams were available on the music department YouTube channel. Updates on future events can be found on their Instagram, Facebook and website. The event will return next year.
“Cello has that kind of human voice and quality that can not only sing beautifully, it speaks to somebody’s heart,” Yu said. “We are excited to share with the community and we welcome anyone.”
