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Jacqueline Tso plays Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy
Peace Concert Hall
Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 6 at 3:00 pm
PROGRAM
Max Bruch: The Scottish Fantasy in E-flat major
Amy Beach: Symphony in E minor, “Gaelic”
Journey to the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland with Max Bruch’s enchanting Scottish Fantasy, where the winsome melodies and evocative themes of the Highlands come to life. Then, wrap yourself in the rich tapestry of Amy Beach’s “Gaelic”’ Symphony as she captures the essence of Celtic folklore and tradition in a symphonic masterpiece. Join us for an evening of musical exploration and cultural immersion, as we celebrate the timeless beauty and heritage of Scotland and beyond.
CONDUCTOR
Lee Mills, conductor
GUEST
Jacqueline Tso, violin
Leila Cunningham Roe Concertmaster Chair
Violinist Jackie Tso has been heard as a soloist with orchestras around the world such as the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Concert Association Orchestra, and the Beijing Broadcasting Orchestra. Other past solo engagements include the Kentucky Symphony, Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony, Southwest Ohio Philharmonic, MasterWorks Festival Orchestra, Wright State University Symphony, and the Seven Hills Sinfonietta.
Ms. Tso has played in many of the world’s most prestigious competitions including the Premio Paganini, Yehudi Menuhin, Shanghai Isaac Stern, Zhuhai Mozart, and Cooper. She was a semifinalist of the International Jascha Heifetz Competition as well as the Irving M. Klein. Jackie studied with Li Lin at The Juilliard School, and has also studied with Glenn Dicterow, Kurt Sassmannshaus, and Almita and Roland Vamos.
Jackie is from Cincinnati, OH and began her violin studies at the age of four with the Suzuki method. Tso made her debut in Cincinnati’s Music Hall when she was eight years old, and also performed at the Lensic Performing Arts Center when she was twelve. When Tso was fifteen, she had the pleasure of collaborating with acclaimed pianist Christopher O’Riley on National Public Radio’s From the Top. She was one of twenty individuals selected for the “Most Interesting People” issue of the 2009 Cincy Magazine, a much-loved local Cincinnati publication.
Jackie was a member of Cincinnati’s Starling String Program and enjoyed tours with them to Detroit as well as Salzburg, Austria. She was also a member of the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy Program. Prior to her transfer to Juilliard, Jackie spent her first two years of her undergraduate at the University of Southern California.
Tso has spent summers at the Great Wall International Music Academy, National Arts Center Young Artists Program, Meadowmount School of Music, Bowdoin Music Festival, Salzburg’s Mozarteum Summer Academy, Heifetz Institute of Music, MasterWorks Christian Festival, and the Aspen Music Festival as an orchestral fellow. At all of these music festivals, Jackie collaborated with many fellow musicians in chamber music playing celebrated composers such as Arensky, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, and Ravel. Recent chamber music performances have included appearances in the Ariel Concert Series in St. Louis and with the Greenville Chamber Players. In August 2024 she performed at the Lakes Area Music Festival. This coming summer, Ms. Tso looks forward to being on faculty at the MasterWorks Festival.
Tso’s orchestral career began with service as Concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra for three years, followed by being a member of the Aspen Conducting Academy Orchestra, University of Southern California’s Thornton Symphony, and the Juilliard Orchestra. Jackie joined the St. Louis Symphony for their 2022-2023 season, and became Concertmaster of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra in September 2023. She has been guest concertmaster for the North Charleston Pops in their 2024-2025 season.
Jackie has played in master classes for Pinchas Zukerman, Ida Kavafian, James Ehnes, Vadim Repin, Joji Hattori, Tong Wei-Dong, Joel Smirnoff, Thomas Ades, and Martin Beaver.
Ms. Tso is an active educator keeping a small private studio and coaching the Greenville County Youth Orchestra regularly, as well as giving masterclasses and teaching an audition excerpt series during the summers in Cincinnati.
Aside from music, Tso enjoys serving at her church in the worship team, making flower arrangements, having nature walks with her pup, and spending time with her family and friends.
Pre-Concert Conversation
Free for concert ticketholders, one hour before the performance inside Peace Concert Hall. Join Music Director Lee Mills, Executive Director Jessica Satava, and special guests for an engaging exploration of the composer’s ideas, musical themes, and history of the music you’re about to hear.
