Kim Cook, associate professor of music in cello, is hoping to create a tradition as she is finishing the final touches to get ready for Penn State's second Cello Festival taking place this weekend in the Esber Recital Hall.

The Festival is featuring master cellist and performer Aldo Parisot, professor at the Yale School of Music and at the Juilliard School, as well as conductor of the Grammy-nominated Yale Cellos. During his visit at Penn State, Parisot will give two master classes and conduct a cello ensemble.

Cello performances Kim Cook Time: 8 p.m. Date: Tomorrow Place: Esber Recital Hall Cello Ensemble Time: 4 p.m. Date: Sunday Place: Esber Recital Hall

More than 50 student guests have signed up for the Festival and some are coming from all over the country, from places such as Boston and Indiana to Minnesota, Cook said.

"It is a great opportunity for any cellist who is interested in working with a renown artist like Aldo," said Gerardo Edelstein, the new director of orchestras at Penn State. Edelstein directed the Festival Ensemble last year in its performance of works by Bach, Handel and Dvorak.

Last year's Festival attracted instrument makers and repairman who held workshops for participants to learn how to take care of their strings.

Alan Harris was last year's featured guest and offered insight to the master class, as well as directed a concert during the weekend.

This year, the Festival was a little more competitive as participants needed to send in tapes of their performances to be chosen to be in the master class to be taught by Parisot.

"The idea is to give oneself a chance to work with a guest cellist of an international caliber," said Edelstein.

Renny Deremer (graduate-music education) was a member of the cello choir and a cellist in the master class last year. She enjoyed receiving a different perspective of her work.

"I had been playing with the same instructor for four years and it was nice to play the same music to a new perspective," she said.

Deremer also thought that it was exciting to have so many cellists playing together, considering the cello is not the most widely played instrument.

Two performances will take place this weekend and are opened to the public. Cook will perform pieces from Franck, Boccherini, Falla and Ginastera with guest pianist Elizabeth Parisot at 8 tomorrow night.

Cook has performed solo recitals at Carnegie Hall in New York City and Wigmore Hall in London. She has also performed and taught master classes internationally.

The mass Cello Ensemble will be the second performance at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Both concerts will take place at the Esber Recital Hall.

There is no charge for the performance but donations to the Festival are appreciated.

Anyone who is a cello enthusiast is encouraged to participate in the Festival, said Cook. The registration fee is $15 and the Festival will continue to be open to participants right up until the festivities begin.

"Any string player might want to take advantage of the Festival," said Cook. "It will be inspirational, informative and exciting to hear cello solo and ensemble playing."