Two Vancouver area children to join Lang Lang on stage in Toronto in November as part of special '101 Pianists' performance presented by CIBC

VANCOUVER, Nov. 2, 2011 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) is proud to be the presenting sponsor of world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang, in concert with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) on November 4.  CIBC is also presenting Lang Lang's five performances in Toronto this November, and in Montreal in May 2012.

As part of a residency program with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), Lang Lang will lead a special children's performance called '101 Pianists' at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall on November 13. Mimi Jasmine Ye and Jeffrey Luo, both from the Vancouver area, have been selected to join Lang Lang and 98 other children on stage for the performance. CIBC will send these two young B.C. children, along with a parent each, to Toronto to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"CIBC is thrilled to bring one of the world's leading classical pianists to Canadian audiences, and especially to Canada's young pianists," said Stephen Forbes, CIBC's Executive Vice-President of Marketing, Communications & Strategy. "CIBC shares Lang Lang's commitment to educating and inspiring the next generation of classical music lovers and performers and we are proud to support his unprecedented residency in Toronto where he will take the stage with 100 aspiring young pianists - including two children from Vancouver - for a special performance."

"I started to play the piano when I was almost five," says Vancouver's 11 year old Mimi Jasmine Ye. "Music is just like air and water in my life. It will be wonderful to meet all the other young musicians who have the same interest. I am inspired by Lang Lang's passion when he plays piano. I am looking forward to meeting Lang Lang and listening to his ideas of music."

"Over the course of more than a decade, the VSO has forged a strong and abiding artistic relationship with Lang Lang, and we always look forward to his visits," said Alan Gove, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Vancouver Symphony. "His performances are always breathtaking, artistically thrilling, and always leave audiences clamouring for more. We are very happy that Jeffrey and Mimi are able to represent Vancouver in the '101 Pianists' performance for children in Toronto. We congratulate CIBC for their vision and commitment to music education and the arts, and we are grateful for their support in presenting Lang Lang to Vancouver audiences."

"To me playing in the '101 Pianists' means having fun and making new friends," says Jeffrey Luo from West Vancouver. Jeffrey is 11 years old and has been playing the piano for six years. The Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 10 level student who plays in public and private concerts and has performed with the VSO, is looking forward to meeting new people and can't wait for the airplane trip to Toronto.

As part of CIBC's overall charitable giving focus on Kids, Cures and Community, CIBC is proud to support programs that help educate and nurture Canada's children and young adults so they can build a better future. CIBC is the presenting sponsor of Lang Lang's performances in Vancouver and Toronto this month and with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in the spring.

About CIBC
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada, and has offices in the United States and around the world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Press Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

Image with caption: "Eleven year-old Jeffrey Luo will perform on-stage with world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang. (CNW Group/CIBC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111102_C9471_PHOTO_EN_5904.jpg

Image with caption: "Vancouver's Mimi Jasmine Ye, 11, will perform on-stage with world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang (CNW Group/CIBC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111102_C9471_PHOTO_EN_5933.jpg