Composer And Violin Virtuoso Mark O'connor Unveils New Orchestral Piece And Guest Appearances This Fall

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New Album 'An Appalachian Christmas' Featring James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma And More Set For September 20 Release

Grammy winning composer, violin virtuoso and educator Mark O'Connor, proclaimed by Strings Magazine (cover story this month) to be "revolutionizing string pedagogy" has confirmed a string of new U.S. tour dates this fall. As a sought-after solo performer and composer, these upcoming dates will include a week at NY's Blue Note collaborating with vocalist Jane Monheit; a world premiere of a new orchestral overture, 'Queen Anne's Revenge,' commissioned to celebrate the recovery of pirate Blackbeard's ship, off the coast of North Carolina; a residency at the University of Miami for a 3rd year in a row; and many symphony orchestra solo appearances. See below for full tour schedule.

O'Connor will release his first holiday album, 'An Appalachian Christmas,' on September 20 via OMAC Records. A star-studded collection featuring James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, Renee Fleming, Alison Krauss, Sharon Isbin, Jane Monheit, Chris Thile, Steve Wariner and more, 'An Appalachian Christmas' features rare collaborations available for the first time in years as well as new recordings.

O'Connor's last collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma 'Appalachian Journey' was one of the biggest classical crossover hits of the past decade, spending several weeks atop the Billboard classical chart (and remaining on the chart for over two years), and winning a Grammy.

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