World Class Cellist Performs at TAMIU Monday

On Monday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. cellist Jolyon Pegis, currently associate principal cellist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, performs a benefit recital on behalf of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) in the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Recital Hall.

Admission to the concert will be by donation with all proceeds going to fulfill the LPO’s mission of performing great orchestral concerts throughout the year.

Pegis, originally from Rochester, NY, is a graduate of Indiana University and the University of Hartford. He is a winner of the Artists International Awards in New York City and has appeared as a soloist with the orchestras of Kingsport, TN, Chautaugua NY, San Antonio, West Virginia, Maui, and Norfolk, VA.

He will lead a masterclass for cello students at TAMIU on Monday afternoon at 1:30 in the Recital Hall at TAMIU as part of the educational outreach of the LPO funded by the D.D. Hachar Charitable Trust.

Maintaining a busy concert schedule, Jolyon also performs with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and provides recitals in Texas, Georgia, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania.

He will be accompanied in this recital by Dr. Brett Serrin. Dr. Serrin is widely recognized as one of the United States’ most brilliant young teachers and pianists. Born in Virginia, he pursued his graduate studies at the University of North Texas.

Together, Pegis and Serrin will perform three sonatas, one each by Debussy, Beethoven and Prokofiev.

“To have such world class players coming to Laredo is a tribute to the remarkable performance venue here at TAMIU,” said LPO music director Brendan Townsend.

Dr. Serrin has been the recipient of numerous gold medals in international piano competitions including the Los Angeles Liszt Competition, the Hubbard Solo & Chamber Music Competition in Dallas and the Albuquerque Concerto Competition.

Since 2003 he has performed extensively around the world including a three week tour in China and performances with the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra in the Czech Republic.

Pegis will  perform a concerto with the LPO in its  2012-13 concert season.

For more information, contact Brendan Townsend at (956) 326-3039.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu