Voice of the Arts

Music Director and Conductor of the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras (TRYPO), Brian Worsdale, spoke with Anna Singer and Jim Cunningham about their upcoming concert, Cheers to 50 Years! on May 5th at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Brian highlights the two concerts on the 5th, one at 1:15 pm that showcases all four symphonic groups and the other at 6 pm that features the Young Peoples Orchestra with Broadway star Norm Lewis. Brian also talks about the very special award that TRYPO will be giving to WQED-FM’s own Jim Cunningham and Anna Singer. Visit https://trypo.org/ to find the program and tickets!

Artistic Director and Conductor of Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, Thomas Douglas, spoke with WQED-FM’s afternoon host, Anna Singer, about their upcoming concert, A Satire: Carmina Burana Africana, on Friday, April 26th and Saturday, April 27th at the Campbell Memorial Chapel at Chatham University. Thomas discusses how this version of Carmina Burana differs slightly with the inclusion of an African drum ensemble from West Virginia University and dancing with K-Theatre Dance Complex. Thomas also introduces a very special guest, his dog, Betty Davis. Visit https://www.bachchoirpittsburgh.org/ to learn more and find tickets.

Producing Artistic Director of Prime Stage Theatre, Wayne Brinda, spoke with WQED-FM about Prime Stage’s upcoming production of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution running from May 3rd to May 12th at the New Hazlett Theater. Wayne talks about the shows intrigue and drama, as a man is put on trial for murder with his wife being a witness for the prosecution! Wayne also highlights their special post-show discussion on May 4th with New York Times bestselling author and Pittsburgh native, Marie Benedict, whose historical fiction novels explore many people including Agatha Christie. Visit https://primestage.com/events/witness/ to learn more about the show and find tickets.

Founder of Aria412 Desiree Soteres and Board Chair, Dr. Mildred Myers, spoke with Jim Cunningham about several upcoming events for the group. The first event features a program entitled Bad Company, on May 7th at 7 pm at Hop Farm Brewing Company. Following that event, Aria412 will present I Hear America Singing, May 9th to the 11th at the Rauh Studio Theatre on University of Pittsburgh’s campus. Desiree highlights how they will also be producing a filmed version of I Hear America Singing. They both also briefly discuss their new full length opera performance based on Thomas the Rhymer in October of this year. Visit https://www.aria412pgh.com/ to learn more about Aria412 and find tickets.

Professor of Organ and Sacred Music at Duquesne University, Dr. Ann Labounsky Steele, and world-renowned organist and choral director, Dr. Wilma Jensen, spoke with Jim Cunningham about their upcoming concert and masterclass at the Recital Chapel of the Holy Spirit on Duquesne’s campus. The concert will be this Sunday, April 28th, at 3 pm, with the masterclass on Tuesday the 30th at 3 pm. Wilma discusses the program for the concert, and her new book Organ Footnotes that is read by many organ students today. Ann discusses how she and Wilma met, and Wilma highlights how she has no plans to stop playing, even at the age of 95. You can listen to organ performances in Pittsburgh on WQED-FM 89-3 at 10 pm every Sunday.

Pittsburgh Opera presents “The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson” at the Byham Theater from April 27th through May 5th. WQED-FM’s Anna Singer spoke with Meroe Khalia Adeeb, who sings the role of Isabelle.

Pittsburgh Opera presents “The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson” at the Byham Theater from April 27th through May 5th. WQED-FM’s Anna Singer spoke with stage director Kamille Howard.

Pittsburgh Opera presents “The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson” at the Byham Theater from April 27th through May 5th. WQED-FM’s Anna Singer spoke with Christian Mark Gibbs, who sings the role of Frank.

Pittsburgh Opera presents “The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson” at the Byham Theater from April 27th through May 5th. WQED-FM’s Anna Singer spoke with Alyson Cambridge, who sings the role of Mary Cardwell Dawson.

The 2nd annual Vanka Block Party takes place on Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 12-4pm at the St. Nicholas Croation Catholic Parish in Millvale. Becky Gaugler, Director of Education & Interpretation for the Maxo Vanka Murals, and Rick Robinson, aka CutTime Simfonica, spoke with Jim Cunningham about the Murals, the event and more.

Maestro’s Edward Leonard and Awadagin Pratt from Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh discuss with Jim Cunningham live about their upcoming concert tomorrow, Saturday April 20th, at 7:30 pm at Rodef Shalom. Awadagin will be guest conducting the program that includes Avro Part’s Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten and Beethoven’s Symphony No 7. He will also be performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 23 in A Major. They play a recording from Awadagin’s last time conducting the Chamber Orchestra, the last movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 1. Visit https://copgh.org/concerts to learn more.

The Pitt Men’s Glee Club presents their Spring Concert on Saturday April 20th, 7:30pm at First Baptist Church. Director Richard Teaster and Men’s Glee Club member Nate Ginck stopped by the QED Morning Show with Jim Cunningham to talk about the concert.