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Ouachita’s School of Performing Arts to host Leland Ko in concert Sept. 11

September 09, 2023 - Coleman Callan

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music in the School of Performing Arts will host cellist Leland Ko in concert Monday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Mabee Fine Arts Center’s McBeth Recital Hall. Ko’s performance is part of Ouachita’s Guest Artist Series and the National Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist program. The concert is free and open to the public.

A native of Boston, Mass., Ko performs as a soloist and chamber musician across the east coast and internationally. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in German literature from Princeton University and a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School. Ko earned first prize at the 2021 Hudson Valley Philharmonic String Competition and at the 2023 National Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist Competition. He was named a recipient of the Presidential Scholar Award at the New England Conservatory, where he is an Artist Diploma candidate, and was a 2023 Young Artist in Residence for American Public Media’s radio program “Performance Today.”

Every other year, the NFMC selects honored Young Artists for piano, strings and vocals through a national competition. These artists win cash prizes and represent the NFMC in performances across the nation.

“The School of Performing Arts is thrilled to be able to once again host the winner of the NFMC Young Artist competition,” said Dr. Caroline Taylor, dean and professor of music. “Ouachita is the only venue that has hosted this Young Artist concert since the beginning and is still involved, hosting since 1965. The audience is in for a treat!”

Ko will be accompanied by pianist Adria Ye, winner of the 2022 Music Academy of the West Solo Piano Competition. Ye holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Juilliard and also studies at the New England Conservatory.

Ko’s program at Ouachita includes “Appalachia Waltz” by Mark O’Connor; “Divertimento in D major” by Franz Joseph Haydn, compiled and arranged by Gregor Piatigorsky; “Suite for Solo Cello, Op.76” by Alexander Tcherepnin; “The Deserted Garden” and “Elfentanz” by Florence Price; and “Sonata for Piano and Cello, FP 143” by Francis Poulenc.

For more information about the concert or about Ouachita’s School of Performing Arts, contact Dr. Caroline Taylor at [email protected] or at (870) 245-5139.

Lead photo: Cellist Leland Ko will appear in concert Monday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. as part of Ouachita's 2023-24 Guest Artist Series.