Participants explore relationships between musical tradition
and innovation through the study of existing works and the
performance of newly commissioned works. For this workshop,
six established composers (Hossein Alizadeh, Gabriela Lena
Frank, Osvaldo Golijov, Jeeyoung "Jacqueline" Kim, Dmitri Yanov-Yanovsky,
and Evan Ziporyn) and two emerging composers (Christopher
Adler and Angel Lam) were commissioned to write new works for
specific indigenous Silk Road instruments with varying
combinations of strings and percussion. Throughout the
workshop, Yo-Yo Ma, musicians of the Silk Road Ensemble,
and the composers themselves rehearse and work with the
participants, sharing their expertise. Sessions take place at
the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, MA; participants then
travel to New York City for rehearsals and performances in
Zankel Hall on September 16 and 17.
The many-faceted career of cellist Yo-Yo Ma is testament to his continual search for new ways to communicate with audiences and to his personal desire for artistic growth and renewal. Mr. Ma maintains a balance between his engagements as soloist with orchestras worldwide and his recital and chamber music activities. His discography includes over 75 albums, including 16 Grammy Award winners. One of Mr. Ma¹s goals is the investigation of music as a means of communication and as a vehicle for the migration of ideas; in 1998, he established the Silk Road Project to promote the study of cultural, artistic, and intellectual traditions along the ancient Silk Road trade routes.
Mr. Ma was born in Paris to Chinese parents who later moved the family to New York. He began to study cello at the age of four, attended The Juilliard School, and graduated from Harvard University. He has received numerous awards, including the 1978 Avery Fisher Prize, the 1999 Glenn Gould Prize, the 2001 National Medal of Arts, and the 2006 Sonning Prize.
Applications will be accepted for violin, viola, cello, bass, and percussion. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30.
There is no tuition for the workshop. Carnegie Hall will arrange and pay for travel to New York and shared accommodations in New York for participants who do not live in New York City; and travel between New York and Tanglewood and shared accommodations at Tanglewood for all participants.
Please complete the application form and return it with the following:
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A current résumé including teachers, master classes, performing
experiences, education/training, festivals, and awards. Percussionists:
please indicate whether you specialize in any particular area
(pitched percussion, hand percussion, etc.).
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Two letters of recommendation from present or former music teachers or from musicians of
high standing. Letters may be sent separately from the application either by mail or e-mail to
PTW@weillmusicinstitute.org but
must be marked clearly with the workshop name and the
applicant’s name
on the front of the envelope or in the subject line of the e-mail.
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Unedited recordings of:
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two movements of contrasting styles from a major solo piece or sonata for
your instrument from the baroque, romantic, or contemporary repertoire.
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one movement or short piece of your choice that demonstrates musical flexibility
and imagination as well as willingness to explore music of other traditions/genres.
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a composition or improvisation of your own.
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A written or 3–5 minute taped (audio or video) response to one of the following interview
questions: Video is preferred (DVD or VHS) and must be in NTSC format.
- How would you describe where you and your music fit into the world?
- What do you think is the connection between tradition and innovation?
Where do you fit into either, or both?
- Describe an experience you have had communicating with an individual or individuals
from another culture. Did you share a common language? If not, how did that affect
the experience?
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A non-refundable application fee of $40. Payment may be made by check, money order in US dollars, or credit card. Make check or money order payable to The Carnegie Hall Corporation.
Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble Workshop Application Form (580 KB PDF)
All materials must be received by Carnegie Hall no later than Wednesday, May 10, 2006.
Applicants will be informed of their workshop status on or about June 23.
All workshop participants must be available September 6–17, including evenings. The preliminary workshop schedule is as follows:
September 6–14: Workshop sessions will take place at the Tanglewood Music Center
in Lenox, Massachusetts.
September 15–17: Workshop sessions will take place at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
