The international Cello Fresno Festival began today (Oct. 6) at Fresno State and runs through Saturday, Oct. 8, when it concludes with the final gala concert at 8 p.m. in the Concert Hall. The festival focuses on talent from the Central Valley participating in three days of intense master classes, cello ensemble rehearsals, two concerts, a young artists’ competition and more. Artistic directors Thomas Loewenheim, from the Fresno State Department of Music, and Emilio Colón, from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, are among the faculty featured at the event. This year’s concert features the Cellistanbul Cello Quartet from Turkey: Murat Berk, Melih Kara, Cag Ercag and Ediz Sekercioglu as well as guest Fresno State faculty Colón, Brian Schuldt and Cara Elise Colón. The final concert will include two student cello ensembles comprised of cellists from local school programs and students from the cello studio at Fresno State. All the events are free and open to the public, with the exception of Saturday’s gala concert. Ticket prices for that event are $15 general; $10 for employee and seniors; and $5 for students. INFO: Music Department concert website. Parking info: bit.ly/FS-Parking and bit.ly/FS-ParkingHours.
