"The whole season really is based around establishing Dallas as a cultural hub, so all four of our concerts are different stages of that,” says Sam Brukhman, Founding Artistic Director of Dallas-based Verdigris Ensemble. The group is embarking on another bold new season of new works and immersive storytelling, which they've titled "Transcend." In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Sam gives a quick overview of the season highlights.
Sep 11, 2024•3 min
Since 1989, the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth has been bringing the crème de la crème of the world’s chamber musicians together for performances – some who have been playing together for decades, and others who are just beginning their upward trajectory, such as the Balourdet Quartet. Artistic Director Gary Levinson chats with Amy Bishop about the program, as well as CMSFW's new family concert series.
Sep 06, 2024•3 min
Dallas' AT&T Performing Arts Center is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a series of community events this fall. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, ATTPAC's CEO Warren Tranquada explains why the center served as the catalyst for the Dallas Arts District, and shares details on how North Texas can take part in the celebration.
Jul 31, 2024•4 min
TACA's Donna Wilhelm Family President and Executive Director Maura Sheffler points out that this kind of support has always been critically important for arts organizations, but even more so now, as many try to return to their pre-pandemic vitality. She spoke with WRR's Amy Bishop about the other work TACA has been doing recently to champion the arts in Dallas County.
Jul 17, 2024•3 min
"The orchestra just keeps getting better and better, and the European tour demonstrated the depth of admiration in Europe for the Dallas Symphony, which is so special to see,” says Kim Noltemy, whose last day as President and CEO of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra was June 28th. She has gone on to assume the role as the new CEO of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Noltemy reflects on her six years with the DSO, and her optimism for the organization's future under...
Jul 16, 2024•4 min
“The concerts I’ve been to since I’ve been an Executive Director there have been phenomenal and it's such a pleasure to be able to offer something so wonderful at no cost to people who might otherwise not be able to see a concert in a whole year," says Morgan Vaughan, Executive Director of Basically Beethoven. The organization formerly known as the Fine Arts Chamber Players for the past 43 years decided it was time to update their name to reflect their signature summer series. In this feature wi...
Jul 09, 2024•3 min
McKinney's popular Independence Day celebration started back when the city had a modest population of about 20 thousand residents. Today, their population is well over 200 thousand, but the city still strives to create a small hometown feel for their festivities. In this feature, WRR's Amy Bishop speaks with Ryan Mullins, Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of McKinney to get the details on this year's event, which includes some new attractions.
Jun 27, 2024•4 min
From being stung by a wasp onstage, to having a heat stroke mid-performance, it takes a special fortitude to be an actor in a production of Shakespeare in the Park. In this podcast, WRR's Amy Bishop speaks with Mikaela Baker, who plays Olivia in "Twelfth Night" and Adrian Godinez, who plays Odysseus in "The Odyssey," for a deep dive into their characters and the experiences that come with performing outside during a Texas summer.
Jun 26, 2024•31 min
"The goal is to keep bringing people out to share these timeless stories out under the stars," says Jenni Stewart, Interim Executive and Artistic Director of Shakespeare Dallas, presenting its 52nd season of Shakespeare in the Park this summer. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Stewart talks about their upcoming productions of "Twelfth Night" and "The Odyssey."
May 28, 2024•3 min
"I think the audience will be amazed by how well a children's chorus can perform a piece of music that's as complex as this one," says Ellie Lin, Artistic Director of the Dallas Symphony Children's Chorus, who is presenting the world premiere of a work written especially for the chorus. Hear more about the chorus and the new commission by Andrea Basevi in this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop.
May 21, 2024•3 min
"If you want to hear really great music that you know and love, this is a concert that you don’t want to miss,” says Steve Jobman, Artistic Director of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church's music ministry. The church's upcoming Americana concert featuring choir, orchestra, organ, and bell choir will be a mix of American classical, film scores, and popular music in an evening that starts with a cookout fundraiser of all-American fare. Jobman gives details on the program in this feature with WRR's ...
May 15, 2024•4 min
Anyone who has ever driven down Swiss Avenue in East Dallas can understand why the annual Mother’s Day home tour is so popular; the street contains some of the most stunning historic homes of the city. In this feature, WRR's Amy Bishop speaks with Swiss Ave. Historic District’s resident historian Bob Cox, to hear more about this year's homes on display -including two that have been designated by D Magazine to be among the ten most beautiful homes in Dallas.
May 09, 2024•3 min
In this podcast with WRR's Kurt Rongey, DSO Maestro Fabio Luisi discusses the first time he cracked open the score to one of the Ring operas, what the audience can expect at the Ring of the Nibelungs performances, upcoming recording projects and the maestro’s personal highlights for the 2024-2025 DSO season.
May 02, 2024•6 min
"There's the physical aspect of resonating together - and then how that goes out and is perceived by an audience - it's kind of everything," says Colin Jacobsen, violinist with the Brooklyn Rider String Quartet. The group will close Dallas Chamber Music Society's 2023-24 season with a concert of old and new works at SMU's Caruth Auditorium and WRR's Amy Bishop caught up with Jacobsen to hear more about the program.
May 01, 2024•3 min
Springtime in DFW brings countless art fairs and festivals, but Southlake's Art in the Square may be the only one that gives its proceeds back to charities. WRR's Amy Bishop recently visited with Kathy Talley, the chair of this year's festival, to learn what new attractions they'll be offering - and what sets them apart from the others.
Apr 26, 2024•3 min
“There’s a lot of data that backs the way arts and culture have positive impact on folks’ health and wellness," says Martine Philippe, Director of the City of Dallas' Office of Arts and Culture. April is Dallas Arts Month, founded to champion the arts and cultural sector of the city. This year, they've created a special page for sensory-friendly events in observance of Autism Acceptance Month and have re-activated Culture Pass, designed to make arts and culture accessible to all Dallas residents...
Apr 25, 2024•3 min
The Cliburn welcomes internationally acclaimed pianist/composer Gabriela Montero for two concerts in Fort Worth - April 25th at the Kimbell Art Museum and April 26th at Tulips FTW. In this podcast, WRR's Emilio Alvarez chats with Montero about the program, as well as her upcoming involvement in the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, which includes a special commission.
Apr 24, 2024•21 min
Every year since 1979, TACA has honored two individuals for their outstanding volunteer leadership and contributions to the arts in North Texas with the TACA Silver Cup Award. Past recipients have included Mrs. Eugene McDermott, Stanley Marcus, Bill Winspear, Raymond Nasher, Nancy Nasher, Gene Jones, and numerous others. This year, Sharon Young and Steve Penrose are the recipients. They spoke with WRR's Amy Bishop about how it feels to be included within this illustrious roster of philanthropist...
Apr 12, 2024•3 min
Alessandra Comini is an art historian, curator, professor, and author based in Dallas, who started writing art and music mystery novels at the age of 77. To celebrate her 90th birthday, St. Matthew's Cathedral Arts in Dallas is performing a concert featuring music associated with Comini's books, including Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, and more. Comini and St. Matthew's Artistic Director of Secular Music Mary Dibbern go into further detail in this conversation with WRR's Amy Bishop.
Apr 10, 2024•3 min
“This is the one show where I actually have the worst seat in the house, because my back is to everything that’s actually happening," says Enrico Lopez-Yanez, Principal Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Presents Series. He'll be leading the live orchestra in a performance with the spellbinding acrobatics of Troupe Vertigo in three concerts - one of which marks their second-annual Young Professionals Experience initiative. Enrico goes into more detail in his recent interview with WRR's Amy Bishop.
Apr 09, 2024•3 min
You may also know the Greater Dallas Choral Society (GDCS) by its previous name – The Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas. A couple of years ago, the artistic staff of CCGD and most of the singers reorganized under the new name, but are continuing the 25-year legacy of CCGD. WRR's Amy Bishop visited with Kimberley Ahrens, GDCS's Artistic Director and Conductor, to hear more about what's on the horizon for the organization.
Apr 04, 2024•4 min
Kristin Chenoweth returns to the Winspear Opera House in Dallas, which she inaugurated when it originally opened. She took some time to talk to WRR's Kurt Rongey about what to expect at her upcoming Dallas concert, what it was like to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House, and about her continuing efforts to promote music education. She also reflects on her steps to stardom, starting as a youngster in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, her participation in the Apple TV+ show "Schmigadoon," and her upcomi...
Apr 04, 2024•11 min
“It’s very whimsical, it’s very engaging, and it’s a blend of poems of motivational messages, and music – all of that put together," says Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Music Director and Conductor of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, describing "Wild Symphony" by NY Times bestselling author Dan Brown. The group will present the work in a kid-friendly concert on April 7, 2024, narrated by WRR's Amy Bishop. Hear more in Amy’s interview with Maestro Corporon.
Mar 28, 2024•3 min
In this podcast with WRR's Kurt Rongey, pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin talks in-depth about his experiences writing a commissioned work for the Cliburn, where North Texas fits into the worldwide music scene, what it was like recording his own music, and what’s coming up in new releases.
Mar 21, 2024•11 min
"Elementary music teachers often get overlooked with the hard work that they’re doing to educate our children, and so we wanted to give a time to recognize them and celebrate their accomplishments,” says Jennifer Guzman, Director of Education for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The DSO has tapped Chris Drews from Leslie A. Stemmons Elementary School in Dallas to be this year's recipient, coinciding with Music in our Schools Month. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Guzman discusses the import...
Mar 21, 2024•3 min
“I’m primarily known for aggressing upon inanimate objects," says Stewart Copeland, drummer and founding member of the rock band The Police. What some may not know is that he's also an accomplished composer, whose "Police Deranged for Orchestra" will be performed by the SMU Meadows Orchestra at a benefit concert in Dallas. It's all a part of Copeland's artistic residency with the school this spring, where he's been honored as the recipient of the Meadows Award. In this conversation with WRR's Am...
Mar 20, 2024•17 min
It's taken three years of planning and prep, but the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is heading to Europe this summer. In this podcast, WRR's Kurt Rongey chats with Kim Noltemy, the DSO Ross Perot President & CEO, who gives details on tour dates, destinations, star soloists and works, including new pieces by Angelica Negron and Sophia Jani. She also shares some reminiscences about working with Seiji Ozawa in Boston.
Mar 12, 2024•7 min
In a recent conversation with WRR's Kurt Rongey, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's President and CEO Keith Cerny gives a detailed overview of the 2024-25 FWSO season, including opera and dance on stage, a major work by Jake Heggie, plus more about soloists, guest conductors and their chamber music series at the Kimbell.
Mar 12, 2024•9 min
In this interview, WRR's Kurt Rongey and The Dallas Opera's General Director and CEO Ian Derrer go in-depth about the 2024-25 productions, singers, guest conductors, and special TITAS recital with Christian Gerhaher and family operas.
Mar 08, 2024•14 min
"I think my favorite thing, being a Dallas Symphony musician, is seeing the Meyerson lobby on that day filled with animals," says Erin Hannigan, Principal Oboe for the DSO, referencing Artists for Animals' annual benefit concert for shelter animals. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, you'll hear more about the organization's mission, history, and what to expect in this year's concert... which even includes zoo animals.
Mar 06, 2024•3 min
