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Home From Their Studies, Two Cellists Renew Friendship With Public Concert

C. Lieurance

Tomorrow night in the Light Fine Arts Center at Kalamazoo College, two young cellists, returning from their respective colleges or conservatories, will co-lead a program of works by Bach, Handel, and Barriere, with Carl Witt accompanying. Cellist and Kalamazoo native Thomas Barth is an active performer of orchestral and chamber music in the Boston area, where he is pursuing his Master’s degree at the New England Conservatory.  Cullen O’Neil currently studies cello with Richard Aaron at the University of Michigan, but took the 2017-18 school year to study at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

In a conversation with Cara Lieurance, they talk about their shared experiences in the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra and teaching at the after-school music immersion program Kalamazoo Kids In Tune. They're offering a free concert as a thank you to the community that nurtured their talent, and as a summertime goal to stay at the top level of their playing.

Cara Lieurance is the local host of NPR's All Things Considered on 1021 WMUK and covers local arts & culture on Let's Hear It on 89.9 Classical WMUK weekday mornings at 10 - 11 am.
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