Yo-Yo Ma gives surprise performance after receiving COVID-19 vaccine
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A few Massachusetts residents who received a COVID-19 vaccination over the weekend also got a little extra with their shots — a mini-concert played by one of the world's most famous cellists.
Shortly after receiving his second shot Saturday at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, Mass., acclaimed musician Yo-Yo Ma took a seat along the wall of the observation area and played for about 15 minutes, saying he “wanted to give something back,” Richard Hall of the Berkshire COVID-19 Vaccine Collaborative told The Berkshire Eagle.
The quick concert came a year after Ma started posting recordings of himself using the hashtag #SongsOfComfort on social media.
“In these days of anxiety,” he wrote on Twitter on March 13, 2020, “I wanted to find a way to continue to share some of the music that gives me comfort.”
‘Songs of Comfort and Hope’:Yo-Yo Ma wants to fill ‘dark winter’ with comforting songs
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This isn't the first surprise concert from the Grammy-winning musician. Ma also gave pop-up performances from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 for various essential workers, according to the Eagle. UPS employees, teachers, first responders and health care workers were among the audiences for those special concerts.