Muti, CSO musicians lead educational activities on tour

Students at John A. Murdy Elementary School in Garden Grove, California, document a visit by a CSO string quartet (from left, Matous Michal, So Young Bae, Karen Basrak and Simon Michal) by taking photos.

During their 2023 North American tour, musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra participated in educational programs organized with support from the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO. At the tour stop in Costa Mesa, California, a CSO string quartet performed at a local elementary school, and cellist Brant Taylor led a Q&A session at a nearby high school. Students later attended the CSO's concert at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Next, CSO musicians Esteban Batallán, David Cooper and Michael Mulcahy each led a master class with students at Oklahoma State University. At the tour's final stop, Principal Percussion Cynthia Yeh led a master class at the University of Toronto, and Riccardo Muti conducted an open rehearsal with the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Glenn Gould School Orchestra.

Quartet members So Young Bae (violin), Karen Basrak (cello), Matous Michal (violin) and Simon Michal (viola) go over some quick adjustments before heading out to Murdy Elementary School.

Todd Rosenberg Photography

The CSO ensemble performs a movement from Dvořák’s “American” Quartet that includes melodies inspired by traditional folk tunes and suggests the forward motion of a moving train.

Todd Rosenberg Photography

Students enjoy the program, applauding, pointing out elements and asking questions of the CSO musicians.

Todd Rosenberg Photography

Cellist Brant Taylor conducts a Q&A session with music students at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, California. Joining him is Chloe Hopper, an education staffer from the Philharmonic Society of Orange County.

Todd Rosenberg Photography

Trombonist Michael Mulcahy leads a master class, arranged by the CSO's Negaunee Music Institute, with the trombone studio at the Michael and Anne Greenwood School of Music at Oklahoma State University. 

Todd Rosenberg Photography

Principal Trumpet Esteban Batallán coaches a student from the OSU Greenwood School of Music. 

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Principal Horn David Cooper coaches students from the OSU Greenwood School of Music.

Todd Rosenberg Photography

Principal Percussion Cynthia Yeh conducts a master class at the University of Toronto percussion studio with student Jacob Valcheff.

Todd Rosenberg Photography

In Toronto, Riccardo Muti speaks with musicians from the Glenn Gould School Orchestra at the Royal Conservatory of Music's Koerner Hall, as they perform music of Beethoven and Giordano.

Todd Rosenberg Photography

Riccardo Muti leads a daytime rehearsal with musicians from the Glenn Gould School Orchestra at the Royal Conservatory of Music's Koerner Hall.

Todd Rosenberg Photography