Voice of the Arts

Christine Brondyke, Executive Director of the Sweetwater Center for the Arts in Sewickley, stopped by the WQED-FM studio to chat with Anna Singer about the organization. Sweetwater celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, and it continues to be the epicenter of Northwest Pittsburgh's arts community. Christine talks about their recent move into the old Sewickley post office, their new brand campaign, and their mission as a nonprofit to serve all members of the community. She also discusses Sweetwater's mobile art unit, SweetRide, a retrofitted truck that takes their programming out into the community. Christine takes Anna through the different programs offered by the center, including summer camps, and a multitude of classes. Their new space has multiple galleries inside, one of which featured an exhibition of Anna's own art. Their current Mezzanine Gallery exhibition is called Crafted in the Valley: Contemporary Voices in Appalachia and includes the work of 38 local, regional, and national artists. You can learn more about the Sweetwater Center for the Arts, explore programs & classes, and make a donation on their website. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SERIO has an upcoming production of Gaetano Donizetti's opera, Don Pasquale, opening May 8th! Founder Louisa Jonason, director Rebecca Kerr, and tenor George Milosh sat down with Anna Singer live on the QED Afternoon Show to talk about the show. Louisa, who will be leading the production from the keyboard, explains her history with Don Pasquale and praises the cast's talents. George is returning to SERIO after appearing in their production of La Bohème as Rudolfo. He will sing Ernesto in this opera. The production will be at the Cultural Trust's newest venue, Three Stories, on Liberty Ave. Rebecka talks about moving into that space and opera's place in Pittsburgh's arts community. SERIO will be at Three Stories in the Cultural District with Donizetti's Don Pasquale May 8th-10th. Friday and Saturday's performances are at 7:30pm, with Sunday's matinee at 2:00pm. Get tickets here. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Prime Stage Theatre will present the world premiere of the stage adaptation of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Playwright Tammy Ryan sat down with Melissa Black to talk about the show. Speak follows Melinda, a teenage girl who struggles with sexual assault and uses art to find her voice. Tammy talks about adapting the story for the stage, working with the production's director, Dana Hardy Bingham, and how the cast of young actors has taken on the project. She details the decision to cast both sides of Melinda, having one actor for her outward self and one for her inner voice. You can see Speak, opening this weekend, at the New Hazlett Theater. Friday, May 1st is a pay-what-you-can preview night, with the official opening night on Saturday, May 2nd at 7:30pm. A discussion with the author of the book will following the opening performance. Speak returns the following weekend, May 8th-10th. More details and tickets can be found on both Prime Stage Theatre's website and the New Hazlett's website. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 59th Carnegie International, If the word we, opens this weekend on Saturday, May 2nd and will run until January 3rd, 2027. Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for the Art and History Museums Stefanie Cedro Mohr and Carnegie Museum of Art Director of Education and Public Programming Dana Bishop-Root spoke with Jim Cunningham live on the QED Morning Show about the exhibition. Dana explains the meaning of the exhibition's title, If the word we, as an intentional vehicle for communal listening and learning. The Museum of Art is collaborating with the Children's Museum, Kamin Science Center, the Mattress Factory, and the Thelma Lovette YMCA for this year's International. Stefanie and Dana talk about participating artists and artwork, including sculpture, installation, musical performances, and animation. Jim, Stefanie, and Dana also listen to excerpts from Bizet's Carmen, which features in the International. Learn more about the 59th Carnegie International at the Carnegie Museum of Art's website. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Joe Calarco's vibrant adaptation of Romeo & Juliet comes to the City Theatre Mainstage, blurring the line between dreams and reality! The show's co-producers, Julia He and Alexander Farrell, and scenic designer, Sebastian Zavalza, spoke with Melissa Black about it. Shakespeare's R&J follows four male students, living under strict rules, who defiantly and curiously act out Shakespeare's play. Alexander and Sebastian talk about the students' interaction with the play as they discover and identify with Shakespeare's words. Julia tells Melissa how she put the show together and her love for City Theatre's space. Sebastian explains how the set imagery reflects and inspires the emotions felt by the characters. All three encourage audiences to reflect on the adaptation's message--whether to take control of our voices or remain compliant through silence. Shakespeare's R&J runs at City Theatre from May 8th-10th. Friday's performance is at 7:30pm. There are two performances on Saturday, at 2:00pm and 7:30pm, and the Sunday matinee is at 2:00pm. More information and tickets are available on City Theatre's website. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chief Naturalist Brian Cunningham of Wild Birds Unlimited speaks with Jim Cunningham about birdsong in music and nature with references to Vivaldi's Goldfinch Concerto and Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. Brian tells Jim how to attract hummingbirds, a good starter kit to bring birds to your back yard, and what birds are in Western PA now. He discusses whether bird feeders interfere with Mother Nature, and how to prevent rats and squirrels from getting in your feeder. Brian hosts a podcast called Nature Centered, where he talks about feeding birds and enjoying nature right in your own backyard. There are three Wild Birds Unlimited stores in Western PA, located in Pittsburgh, Wexford, and Monroeville. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hold On to Your Music: A Mother's Legacy with pianist Mona Golabek will be screened for the JFilm Festival on Saturday, May 2nd at 6:30pm in McConomy Auditorium at CMU. Mona joined Jim Cunningham to chat about the documentary. Mona will play the piano with selections from the documentary inspired by her book The Children of Willesden Lane and the Hershey Felder-directed play, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, telling her mother's story and the story of her family during WWII. The family story involves the Kindertransport, which transported 10,000 children from Nazi occupied Europe to England but asked parents to make terrible choices of who left and who stayed behind. Mona's maternal grandparents died in Auschwitz; her father was a resistance fighter in France. Mona tells Jim Cunningham about her radio show The Romantic Hours, which aired on WQED-FM and how the documentary film she has made touches on events of today. Mona connects Korngold leaving Vienna with the Nazi presence building up before the war and Rachmaninoff's longing for his homeland, as well as other European expats who wound up in Mona's birthplace, Los Angeles. The film is a story of resilience and hope, the power of music and honoring your family legacy. You can watch Hold on to Your Music: A Mother's Legacy as part of the JFilm Festival on Saturday, May 2nd at 6:30pm at CMU's McConomy Auditorium. For more information and tickets, visit JFilm's website. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band's spring concert is coming up on May 3rd, 2026! Conductor & Musical Director Tad Greig and President, Board Chari, & French horn Melissa Corso spoke with Anna Singer live on the QED Afternoon Show to talk about the program. The band will play excerpts from Copland's Appalachian Spring, Sousa's Manhattan Beach March, Naohiro Iwai's arrangement of El Cumbanchero by Rafael Hernandez, and more. Melissa's pick was Eric Whitacre's Godzilla Eats Las Vegas; she and Tad praise the musicians' rise to that piece's challenge. There will be a projection accompaniment with the piece in classic Godzilla style. Tad shares conducting duties with Assistant Conductor Sean Desguin. The concert takes place at 3:00pm on Sunday, May 3rd at North Hills Middle School. There will be a reception after, where you can mingle with Tad, Melissa, and the musicians. More information and tickets can be found on NPSB's website. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Written and performed by Yvonne Hudson, Mrs. Shakespeare returns for William Shakespeare's birthday this Thursday, April 23rd! Yvonne talks to Anna Singer about her ever-evolving solo show, which she will perform at the Shakespeare statue outside the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Yvonne has been performing as Agnes "Anne" Hathaway for almost 40 years. She was inspired to create this labor of love out of a personal curiosity about the Shakespeare family and the historic treatment of Anne. Yvonne talks about Anne's life, losing their son Hamnet, and performing excerpts of Shakespeare plays through a feminist lens. You can see excerpts of Mrs. Shakespeare this Thursday, April 23rd as part of Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks' Week of Will birthday celebrations at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Registration is encouraged. Learn more about other Week of Will 2026 events on PSiP's website. Yvonne will also perform the entirety of the show on May 16th in the English nationality room of the Cathedral of Learning. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pittsburgh Opera presents Verdi's "Falstaff" April 28th through May 3rd at the Benedum Center. It's the final production of their 2025-2026 Season, as well as Christopher Hahn's final opera as General Director. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Michael Chioldi about his role as Falstaff; growing up in Pittsburgh; how he ended up in opera and working with Marianne Cornetti for 30 years. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pittsburgh Opera presents Verdi's "Falstaff" April 28th through May 3rd at the Benedum Center. It's the final production of their 2025-2026 Season, as well as Christopher Hahn's final opera as General Director. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Marianne Cornetti about her role as Mistress Quickly; how the role fits her voice perfectly, although it's still a difficult sing; and how Verdi is her favorite opera composer. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pittsburgh Opera presents Verdi's "Falstaff" April 28th through May 3rd at the Benedum Center. It's the final production of their 2025-2026 Season, as well as Christopher Hahn's final opera as General Director. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Stage Director Crystal Manich about this being Verdi's final opera; enjoying the play within the play aspect of the opera; and working with a bunch of Pittsburghers!! Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pittsburgh Opera presents Verdi's "Falstaff" April 28th through May 3rd at the Benedum Center. It's the final production of their 2025-2026 Season, as well as Christopher Hahn's final opera as General Director. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Music Director Antony Walker who says it's one of his favorite opera's. He also talks about the Pittsburgh-centric cast and how's it's an opera that is always on the go. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Sunday April 19th, 2026, WQED-FM broadcast the 2026 Heinz Chapel Choir Spring Concert titled "The Heavenward Path." The concert served as a warm up for the choir's tour to Estonia and Latvia in May 2026. After the concert, host Anna Singer spoke with Heinz Chapel Choir Director Dr. Susan Rice about putting the program together and her thoughts on the upcoming tour. Anna also spoke with Alto Lydia Roberts, who was named the winner of the John Goldsmith Award for Choral Excellence recipient. Lydia talks about her surprise of winning the award as well as her favorite parts of the concert. Finally, Anna spoke with senior Jack Lorence about the concert, his favorite part of being involved with the choir and his excitement for the tour. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahead of the NFL Draft, WQED traveled down to city hall for a chat with Mayor Corey O'Connor. He spoke with Jim Cunningham about the draft, Pittsburgh's arts community, and his vision for the city's future. Mayor O'Connor talks about how Pittsburgh has prepared to host the draft, and the opportunities to show off the city's culture, arts, and businesses. He highlights the various projects being completed at Arts Landing, Market Square, and the Point, which will continue to be active gathering places for Pittsburghers long after the draft. The mayor praises the city's museums, arts organizations, and recreational areas, and emphasizes his administration's intention to uplift those institutions. He is optimistic about the power of the arts to vitalize the city and bring new visitors and residents to Pittsburgh. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall are hosting a day of commemoration for the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. Library Director Walker Evans and photographer Mike Haritan speak with QED's Melissa Black about the event program and Mike's work. Walker details what the Carnegie Carnegie has planned for the day. They'll kick off with a film screening of The Babushkas of Chernobyl, a portrait of older women who chose to return to homes in the Exclusion Zone, followed by a presentation by Mike entitled Chernobyl: 30 Years Later, which includes a slideshow of images he took at Chernobyl. There will be performances by the Ridna Shkola children's choir, an original dance by the Kyiv Ukrainian Dance Ensemble inspired by Mike's photograph Gasmask Doll. The schedule wraps up with a panel discussion with four experts in public health, radiology, politics, and culture, and a discussion of the environmental recovery of the area in the forty years since the explosion. Mike talks about his work, his book, Chernobyl: Aftermath of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster, and his experience touring the Chernobyl area and the nearby city of Pripyat. Commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall on Saturday, April 25th. Programs begin at 11:00am and run through 3:00pm. Plan your travel with the NFL Draft in mind. Guests are encouraged to register in advance at the Carnegie Carnegie website. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Calgary, Canada-born pianist Jan Lisiecki has been a favorite at Heinz Hall playing with the Pittsburgh Symphony. He speaks with Jim Cunningham about his latest release on Deutsche Grammophon with two Mozart Concertos, the 9th and 22nd. It was recorded with the Bamberg Symphony and Pittsburgh Symphony Music Director Manfred Honeck. Jan also describes his recording Chopin's complete Nocturnes, which had been available to contributors during the Classical QED fundraising drive. You can learn more about Jan Lisiecki and his recordings on his website and purchase the Mozart CD from Deutsche Grammophon. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join the University of Pittsburgh Bands for an exciting evening of music at the Spring Festival of Bands, featuring performances by the Franklin Regional High School Wind Ensemble, the Allegheny Brass Band, and the University of Pittsburgh Symphonic Band! Pitt Director of Bands Brad Townsend, Assistant Director of Bands Michael Buckstein, and Allegheny Brass Band Director Steve Baldanzi spoke with Jim Cunningham about the event. They talk about the spirit of the bands and the band movement in the US and on college campuses. This special event brings together high school students, community musicians, and collegiate-level performers for a celebration of artistry, collaboration, and the vibrant musical spirit of our region. Jim also gets a run-down of each ensemble's program, notably a world premiere from a Pittsburgh composer by Franklin Regional. The festival takes place tomorrow, April 14th at 7:00pm. It is free and open to the public. It will be held at Bellefield Hall on South Bellefield Avenue across from the Heinz Memorial Chapel. A livestream link is also available here. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill joins with Opus:Impact in the Sanctuary at 8pm on Saturday April 18th to present the Faure "Requiem" and music for solo harp played by recent Pittsburgh Concert Society Competition winner Lace Hilboky. The program also includes the Schubert "Notturno." Soprano Sydney Kaczorowski will sing the Pie Jesu and join baritone Adriel Baralt Jimenez with Fabio Gentili conducting a chamber choir and soloists in the Requiem. Audience members can light a candle to remember lost family and friends. A free will offering is encouraged with donations to the Women’s Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. Check their website for any urgent needs - https://wcspittsburgh.org/ways-to-give/ Sydney joined Jim Cunningham to talk about the work of Opus:Impact and her studies at Duquesne University and performing with the Tamburitzans. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Now Hear This, a Great Performances miniseries, returns for its seventh season tonight! Scott Yoo, creator and host, spoke with Jim Cunningham about the highlights. Season seven explores the lives and works of Johannes Brahms and Scott Joplin, two celebrated composers whose careers did not go as planned; alongside the music scene of two major musical epicenters: Istanbul and Iceland. Tonight's show features Brahms: a visit to his country house in Baden-Baden, listening to the Brahms Piano Trio No. 3, the Clarinet Trio and a piano sonata. Next week's show focuses on from Scott Joplin with Treemonisha, the Joplin opera and keyboard virtuoso John Novacek. Scott visits Istanbul and the Bue Mosque, with his wife, Alice Dade, playing flute, The Turkish Rondo, and Dave Brubeck with his Blue Rondo. And you'll see volcanic craters enter into the Icelandic music scene. The new season of Now Hear This premieres tonight at 9:00pm. Watch it on WQED13 and on demand through PBS Passport on WQED+. New episodes every Friday night, culminating with the season finale on May 1st. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.