Thor Sigurdson Haydn Project

Greetings, music lovers!

Please allow me take a few minutes of your time to tell you about a big upcoming event in my life. On March 27, 2022 I will perform the C Major and D Major cello concertos of Franz Joseph Haydn with Benjamin Loeb and the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra as part of their Haydn Festival. The next day, I will record both concertos for future release. This will be a life-changing event for me, as the technical and musical preparation I'll be devoting to this project will surely raise my playing to an entirely new level.

Those of you who really know me are aware of my passion for performing. Well, I'm ready to finally become the cellist I was always meant to be. Just as a dramatic simile, this is a bit like Neo at the end of the first Matrix movie, only I'll be practicing about 3 or 4 hours a day, instead of punching a bunch of evil Agents.

Not only is this project incredibly challenging as a musical endeavor; it also comes at a significant financial cost - including the orchestra, the concert hall, the producer and engineer, travel expenses for me and my cello, and much more! The rough estimate is $13,000 for the entire project. Arts Education & Performance Management Services (AEPMS), a registered 501(c)3 will be managing the project, and as such, you can support my project by making a tax-deductible contribution of any amount to AEPMS. I'd very much appreciate as much financial (and moral) support as I can find.

Life is definitely about taking some calculated risks, and for me this is one of them. Upon producing this recording and concert footage with the orchestra, I'll be using both as a means to move forward with my plan of aggressively pursuing opportunities to perform concertos and chamber music recitals around the world. As my wife comes nearer and nearer to finishing her PhD, I plan to be traveling as extensively as my family can tolerate, all in pursuit of becoming the best solo cellist I can be.

Thank you in advance for considering the value of this project. I look forward to sharing the fruits of my labors with you very soon.

With gratitude,
Thor