The River City Brass presented their 2025 Christmas Brasstacular concert at Bethel Park High School on Tuesday December 9, 2025. WQED-FM broadcast the concert live! During intermission, WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham spoke with two new members of the band. First, he interviewed Brooke Boehmer (horn), who spoke about her work around town, attending the New England Conservatory of Music, and how she enjoys the local brewing scene in Pittsburgh.
Jim was then joined by First Cornet Alex Perez, who recently graduated from Duquesne University, and was part of the River City Brass Youth Brass. He talks about his love of jazz and what people can listen for in the second half of the concert.
Artistic Director James Gourlay then joined Jim to talk about the first of the concert, his plans for the holiday, and what surprises he has in store for the second half of the concert.
Pittsburgh Opera’s Director of Education Marilyn Egan and Education Committee Chair Dr. Eugene Myers took QED’s Jim Cunningham on a tour of their building back in October.
Marilyn spoke about their education program, Opera Trunks, which are teaching residencies sent out to educators to introduce their students to opera. They are colorful steamer trunks on wheels filled with books, costumes, music, and lesson activities. Pittsburgh Opera’s five versions include a Madama Butterfly Trunk, Opera Improv Trunk, Carmen Trunk, Bravi Tutti Trunk, and a Tot Trunk.
Dr. Myers talked through his opera journey alongside his medical career, and his involvement with the Education Committee.
For more information about Pittsburgh Opera’s education efforts, visit https://pittsburghopera.org/education.
On Friday December 5, 2025, WQED-FM broadcast the 2025 Heinz Chapel Choir Holiday concert live from Heinz Chapel. WQED-FM’s Anna Singer spoke with organist J.R. Daniels about the music he was playing on the concert. At the end of the concert, Anna spoke with the Choir’s Director Dr. Susan Rice about how she put this year’s program together, going on tour this Spring and enjoying finding new, young composers to include in her concert. Anna then spoke with two members of the Choir – Choir President Patrick Diamond (senior), and Jackson Aiosa (freshman), to get their thoughts on the concert, their excitement for the tour in May and fitting in 5 concerts near their finals!!
Slippery Rock University’s Pop Music Ensembles are hosting an end-of-semester concert on Monday, December 8th! SRU Professor Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich, and student members Ethan Aeschbacher and Chrystal Sircely met with Emily Brunner on Zoom to talk about the concert.
Cassandra explains what sets SRU’s pop ensembles apart and the importance of academic diversity in music education. Chrystal and Ethan talk about their roles in the ensembles, student leadership, and collaboration. They also give a run-down on SRU’s music program, and how their semesters have been.
The pop ensembles’ concert on December 8th will have three sets, each featuring a different group. It’s an eclectic program, with music from Evanescence, Bon Jovi, Meghan Trainor, the Spice Girls, Bruno Mars and more. One of the ensembles will also experiment with technology, using drum machines and loopers for a DJ set.
Slippery Rock University’s Pop Ensembles perform at North Country Brewing canning facility in Slippery Rock on Monday, December 8th at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at https://sru.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=2152.
Tuesday Musical Club’s String Ensemble invite you to their concert on Tuesday, December 9th!
Conductor Edward Leonard joined Melissa Black to talk about the program, which features spectacular pieces by Elgar, Gershwin, Bartok, and more. Eddie also spoke about the ensemble’s rehearsal schedule and flexible nature.
The concert will be held at Rodef Shalom’s Levy Hall on Tuesday, December 9th at 1:00pm. It is free, and concertgoers are encouraged to join the string ensemble for a holiday reception after the program. Visit Tuesday Musical Club’s website for more information.
The New Hazlett Theater presents Sounds of the Season on Saturday, December 13th at 7:30pm! Featured artist, Dr. Zuly Inirio, spoke with Emily Brunner about the evening.
The concert will feature a variety of holiday tunes that blend jazz, soul, and global rhythms. Zuly mentions her performances, including Baby Please Come Home, Ave Maria, and collaborating with fellow artists for songs like O Holy Night. She also talks about how this concert rose from a collaboration between the New Hazlett’s Melissa Cardello-Linton and beloved Pittsburgh artists Hugo Cruz, Dr. Kendra Ross, Brendan Williams, and Zuly herself.
Enjoy the Sounds of the Season at the New Hazlett Theater on Saturday, December 13th at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at https://newhazletttheater.org/events/sounds-of-the-season-2/.
Chatham Baroque are preparing for their holiday concert on December 21st at Carnegie Music Hall! The program features Corelli’s shimmering Christmas Concerto, concerti grossi by Vivaldi, Handel, and Torelli, and a delightful set of French Noëls for strings by Charpentier. Co-Artistic Director and violinist Andrew Fouts spoke with Anna Singer about it.
Andrew talks about the program, which evokes pastoral scenes of the nativity. Chatham Baroque is also welcoming back several friends to join them for the concert, including Paul Miller, Tracy Mortimore, Kristen Linfante, and Justin Wallace. Andrew also touches on his Baroque journey and the joy of playing Baroque music.
The concert will be on December 21st at 2:30pm at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Tickets are available at https://www.chathambaroque.org/.
The Pittsburgh Girls Choir is celebrating the holidays this year with their December 13th concert, A Jane Austen Christmas, in honor of the author’s 250th birthday. Artistic Director Kathryn Copeland Donaldson and member of the choir Riley Marsisin joined Anna Singer live for a chat.
Kathryn talks about getting her start with the choir this year, their summer tour, and some of the music on their holiday concert’s program. Riley reminisces on her 13 years in the choir, becoming a role model, and her post-high school plans.
Don’t miss A Jane Austen Christmas on December 13th at 2:00pm. The concert will be held at Shadyside Presbyterian Church. Check out the Girls Choir’s website for more information.
Little Lake Theatre will wrap up their 2025 season with Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge! Artistic Director Patrick Cannon and Director Nathan Walter joined Emily Brunner to talk about the show.
Nathan discusses directing and his first season at Little Lake, and the wild adventure that has been their Christmas show. Patrick introduces Little Lake’s 2026, Home Is Where The Heart Is, which includes ten productions that explore how people build, reshape, and rediscover home.
Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Bing opens December 4th and runs through December 21st. Tickets are limited, so visit https://www.littlelake.org/ to get yours today!
The Pittsburgh Savoyards are presenting the holiday classic, It’s A Wonderful Life! Director Barbara Burgess-LeFevbre and Production Manager Lynette Garlan spoke with Melissa Black about the show.
Barbara talks about the play’s message and working with two separate casts. She encourages fans of the film to see the play, and says it’s the perfect show to introduce young audiences to live theater. Lynette also talks about the Savoyards’ participation in Bellevue’s Light Up Night after their December 6th performance.
Check out the Pittsburgh Savoyards website for performance details and to purchase tickets.
Performances include:
Friday, December 5 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 6 at 2:30 pm (Light Up Bellevue)
Sunday, December 7 at 2:30 pm
Friday, December 12 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 13 at 7:30 pm
The Cranberry Men’s Chorus is happy to present their Christmas Concert series for 2025, Christmas Memories! Vice President Pete Kennaday spoke with Emily Brunner about the festivities.
CMC’s repertoire includes some classic Christmas favorites like “Winter Wonderland” and “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” and new arrangements of less well-known tunes. Emily and Pete also teased “We Need a Little Christmas,” recorded by Pete’s quartet, 3 Handsome Lads, in the WQED studios.
All of the concerts in CMC’s Christmas Memories series are free to attend. Visit https://www.cranberrymenschorus.com/ for more information.
Performances include:
Dec. 8th at 7:00pm – Dutilh Church in Cranberry Twp.
Dec. 11th at 7:00pm – First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh (This show is being recorded by WQED-FM to air on Performance in Pittsburgh)
Dec. 16th at 7:00pm – Mars UP Church
Dec. 18th at 7:00pm – Cross Roads Church in Gibsonia
No Beethoven and Brahms with these three B’s!
It’s Bach, Barber, and Britten featured in the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh’s concert at Rodef Shalom Temple on Saturday, November 22nd at 7:30pm. Artistic Director Edward Leonard and featured soloist Amaury Morales joined Jim Cunningham live on the QED Morning to talk about it.
They explained the special features of the program and the delights of Bach, Samuel Barber, Benjamin Britten, and Frank Bridge. Amaury detailed his journey from the Dominican Republic in Santiago to Boston and CMU, where he worked with Sergey Schepkin. Both Amaury and Leonard also explained their roles with Tuesday Musical Club and encourage listeners to participate in both organizations.
Visit https://copgh.org/concerts-1/the-other-three-bs for more information and to buy tickets.