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Si-Hon Ma Obituary

MA--Si-Hon, dies at 84. The violinist and teacher, Ma Si-hon, died Saturday, September 12, in a nursing home in suburban Philadelphia. He had been in failing health for some time. Mr. Ma was the president of the Si-Yo Music Society which presented an annual series of chamber music concerts in New York from 1971-2004. The first concerts, with the participation of his wife, the pianist Tung Kwong-Kwong, who survives him, were performed in the Chinese School in Chinatown. Because of their popularity they soon transferred to the Schimmel Auditorium of nearby Pace University. Eventually the concerts were moved to Merkin Hall near Lincoln Center. Some of the musicians who collaborated with Mr. and Mrs. Ma in the Si-Yo Concerts were clarinetist, Stanley Drucker, Soprano, Benita Valente, Cellist, Jerry Grossman, violist, Raphael Hillyer, and many more. Mr. Ma owned and performed on the Joachim Stradivarius violin, which is thought to be the instrument Joseph Joachim played when he give the first performance of the Brahms Violin Concerto. Ma Si-Hon was born near Canton, China, on April 3, 1925 and came to this country from China in 1948. He enrolled at the New England Conservatory, where he studied with Richard Burgin, receiving a Masters degree in 1950 and the Artists Diploma in 1952. In 1951, he became the first violinist to receive the Heifetz Award at Tanglewood. In the 50s he played in the Cleveland Orchestra under George Szell, later leaving to join Tung Kwong-Kwong for several years of touring and performing in Europe, appearing at the Salzburg and Dartington Festivals, among many others. They continued to tour in the 1960s and 1970s in America under Columbia Artists Management. The Mas made several tours of the Far East, performing and teaching both in Taiwan and Mainland China as well as Hong Kong and Bangkok. In 1958, he invented a new mute for stringed instruments which is placed behind the bridge and does not have to be removed when not in use, a great improvement over the older standard mute. It was given the name "The Si-Hon Mute". From 1971 to 1994, Ma Si-Hon was a professor of music at Kent State University in Ohio. During that period he maintained his performing career and also continued to teach in New York City. In addition to his wife, Ma Si-Hon is survived by two sisters, nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service for Mr. Ma will be held on Saturday, September 19th 12:00 noon, at George Washington Memorial Park, 80 Stenton Ave., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Sep. 17, 2009.

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3 Entries

Karen Angel Minto

January 19, 2025

So sorry for the loss of such a wonderful musician. He rented a room in my grandmother's house in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and played for us once or twice when we visited.

William Thomas

September 19, 2009

I just heard of Mr. Ma's passing. My best to Mrs. Ma and the entire family. Student from 1973-1977 at KSU

Page (Pei-Shen) Gilmour

September 18, 2009

Our condolences to Mr. Ma's family.

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