Voice of the Arts

The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra is gearing up for it's 98th Season, titled "Symphonic Visions" with concerts in October, November, December, February, March and April. Executive Director Erin Codey spoke with WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham about the season - giving a rundown of each concert. She also talks about Music Director James Blachly; the Johnstown Symphony Chorus and their Director Jeffrey Webb; Inclined to Sing; the Subscriber concert in May in Johnstown's Grand Halle; and some other special concerts members of the orchestra do throughout the year. Erin is enthusiastic about the state of classical music and gives some ideas of places to visit and eat when you come up to hear the Johnstown Symphony perform at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center. She says she's see "Slap Shot" plenty of times and says some of the extras in the movie are still in town. Get tickets and information on their season by visiting www.johnstownsymphony.org. 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.

New music ensemble NAT 28 will perform Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians at CMU's Kresge Theater on August 22nd! Jim Cunningham speaks with Music Director/pianist Brian Gilling and conductor Daniel Nesta Curtis about the concert and their recent recording of Nancy Galbraith's Piano Concerto No. 4. Brian and Daniel will both play piano in the Reich piece, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. They talk about the difficulty of the music and stress the role of a sound technician in the performance. Brian is featured as the soloist on the Galbraith CD; he and Daniel discuss working with Nancy and the recording process. Check out NAT 28 at Kresge Theater for the 50th anniversary of Music for 18 Musicians on August 22nd at 7:30pm. Admission is pay-what-you-wish, and event details are available on NAT 28's website. More information and streaming links to Piano Concerto No. 4 are available on Nancy Galbraith'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.

Trombonist Jim Pugh and recording engineer Jim Anderson have reunited for a new album featuring the first-ever recording of Roy Harris's long-lost Trombone Symphony. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham speaks with both of them about the piece, originally written for Tommy Dorsey in 1938. Jim Pugh talks about discovering the piece, tracking down Harris's archivist, and searching through the Library of Congress. The album also features Nightsuite, a contemporary work by Scott Nimner, which brought together Jim Pugh's jazz connections from across his career, including former student and fellow Steely Dan players. Jim Anderson walks through his recording process, which took place at Power Station in New York City. Jim and Jim both grew up in Butler, Pennsylvania, and remember playing together in various ensembles, including the Butler County Symphony. Jim Anderson also recalls his experiences on the set of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood while at Duquesne, citing Marcel Marceau's episode as a favorite. Read more about New American Symphonies, which releases on Friday, August 14th, 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.

Classical QED's Anna Singer will take part in a concert Friday, August 14th at The Church of the Assumption in Bellevue honoring Father Tim Deely. She spoke with Father Tim and organizer Samuele Bozzolla live on the QED Afternoon Show about the concert. The concert marks the end of Father Tim's seven-year tenure at the church. He'll soon leave for Italy to study canon law for three years. Sam organized this concert as a farewell for Father Tim, bringing together various singers to perform sacred music. Anna will perform, as well as Timothy Ore and Chelsea Cockburn of the Mendelssohn Choir, and members of the Assumption Choir. Join Anna Singer for Father Tim's farewell concert at 7:00pm on Friday, August 14th at The Church of the Assumption in Bellevue. More information is available on the Regina Coeli Parish 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 New Hazlett Theater celebrates its 20th anniversary with a screening of the new film, Making Space: The Story of the New Hazlett Theater. The film's producer, WQED Digital Content Manager Emily Brunner, spoke with Jim Cunningham live on the QED Morning Show about the documentary and the event. Emily explains how the film got its start, originating from Voice of the Arts interviews she had done during her tenure as WQED-FM's producer. She spent a lot of time last year filming interviews with the New Hazlett and Pittsburgh Public Theater, visiting the University of Pittsburgh archives, and getting drone shots from the New Hazlett. Emily also talks about accessing the film on WQED+, which she curates. Please join WQED and the New Hazlett Theater to watch Making Space on Thursday, July 30th at 7:30pm. The screening is free to attend—guests are encouraged to RSVP on the New Hazlett’s website. You can also stream the documentary on WQED+ starting on Friday, July 31st. 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.

Russian pianist and composer Arsentiy Kharitonov recently released a new Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. WQED=FM's Anna Singer speaks with Arsentiy about the piece. Arsentiy talks about developing as a pianist and what led him to start composing. He says being a performer was not enough for him---he always wanted to create his own music and to revive the Romantic tradition of the composer-performer. Arsentiy also walks Anna through each movement of the concerto, which he calls a sophisticated, dark journey. Visit Arsentiy Kharitonov's website to learn more about him and his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. 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 New Hazlett Theater celebrates its 20th anniversary with a screening of the new film, Making Space: The Story of the New Hazlett Theater. Executive Director René Conrad and Artistic Director Melissa Cardello-Linton speak with Jim Cunningham about the New Hazlett and the film. The film, produced by WQED's Emily Brunner, features interviews covering the history of the building and the New Hazlett's relationship with its resident companies. René and Melissa talk about Carnegie, the old organ, and what's next for the New Hazlett. The screening will be preceded by a VIP cocktail hour starting at 6:00pm, featuring live music and speakers, and will be followed by a Q&A session moderated by Jim Cunningham. Please join WQED and the New Hazlett Theater to watch Making Space on Thursday, July 30th at 7:30pm. The screening is free to attend---guests are encouraged to RSVP on the New Hazlett's website. You can also stream the documentary on WQED+ starting on Friday, July 31st. 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.

Bill McLaughlin, Peabody Award-winning conductor, composer, and longtime host of Exploring Music, passed away yesterday, July 23rd. To remember and honor him, WQED-FM would like to share a 2013 interview with Bill, in which he joins Jim Cunningham in celebrating 10 years of Exploring Music.  Bill talked about preparing for the program and his intention to create a space where listeners could discover classical music. He also remembered his time as a trombonist in the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1969-1975 and told stories about working with William Steinberg and touring with the orchestra in Japan. Bill went on to conduct and host Michigan Public Radio's Saint Paul Sunday program and began hosting WFMT's Exploring Music in 2003. He and Jim discussed the current state of classical music---Bill believed there are more people listening to classical music today than at any time in history. 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 Singing Sisters Rosalie and Rosemonde Deck were a sibling duo from the Sisters of Divine Providence. Jim Cunningham speaks with Sister Rosamonde and Sister Mary Traupman about the sisters' performing career and more. Sister Rosamonde talks about growing up in a musical family, recording CDs at WQED, and singing for American troops in Germany. Sister Mary explains the reasons for a recent global decrease in vocations and the challenges for women in the modern Catholic church. The sisters also discuss religious trends in Catholicism and the importance of music in education. More information about the Sisters of Divine Providence is available 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.

The 2026 Flood City Music Festival returns to Johnstown this weekend! The festival begins with a free concert on Thursday night, with the main festival happening on Friday July 24th and Saturday July 25th. WQED-FM's Bryan Sejvar spoke with Festival Director of Marketing Shelley Johansson about this year's festival including the headliners Greensky Bluegrass featuring Holly Bowling and the Disco Biscuits. She also talks about some of the other acts she's looking forward to; the importance of the festival to include local acts; information on camping for the weekend (which includes tubing on the river!); the ease of getting around People's Natural Gas Park; and how the festival benefits Heritage Johnstown. Shelley says people from Johnstown head to Pittsburgh all the time, so take the easy drive for the festival. For tickets and information, visit www.floodcitymusic.com. 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.

The grand finale of this year's Bach, Beethoven and Brunch series takes place this Sunday, July 26th, featuring Academy Concerts' "HaydnBurgh" project! Artistic Director Warren Davidson spoke with Anna Singer live on the QED Afternoon Show about the program. "HaydnBurgh" is an initiative to perform all of 57 Haydn string quartets in the Pittsburgh area. This concert will feature three quartets, Opus 9, #5 in B flat major, Opus 50, #2 in C major, and Opus 71, #2 in D major. Warren talks about how much fun he has programming and performing these concerts. Warren also explains how string quartets evolved out of private homes and into public performances. Join Academy Concerts in Mellon Park for "HaydnBurgh" this Sunday, July 26th at 10:30am. More information is available on the City of Pittsburgh 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.

With the merger between Pittsburgh Public Theater and the Civic Light Opera underway, Interim Board Chair Tom McGough speaks with Jim Cunningham about the process and future of both organizations. Tom talks about how the merger came about, and how he came to lead the efforts to combine the two organizations. He stresses the challenges that the theater world faces today, citing the COVID-19 pandemic, aging audiences, and the advent of streaming services. He hopes to close the deal by July 31st, and estimates three shows and a sneak peek into the 2027 season by the end of this year. The merger intends to continue the legacies of both organizations, combining the Public's work in classical theater and the CLO's commitment to developing and producing musical theater. Tom hopes the merger will foster a "theater ecology" in downtown Pittsburgh that will continue to grow and uplift the community. Updates about the merger are available online from The Next Act. 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.

Alumni Theater Company present the Tony Award-winning musical Once on This Island, running at the Charity Randall Theatre from July 31st--August 2nd. Jim Cunningham speaks with ATC's Artistic Director Monteze Freeland, Marketing Manager Shae Wofford, and actress Sharae Bynum about the show. Monteze talks about the show's story and ATC's mission to uplift Black voices in theater. Sharae, who plays one of the storytellers, explains her role in the musical and how she feels at home with the company. Shae will play the role of Agwe; he praises the cast and crew. All three also speak about their experiences with diversity in theater and why they love theater. Don't miss Once on This Island with Alumni Theater Company at the Charity Randall Theatre from July 31st-August 2nd. More information and tickets are available on ATC'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.

This Sunday, July 19th, members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jacob Joyce perform for Bach, Beethoven and Brunch. Fresh off conducting a concert of movie music the night before, Maestro Joyce joined Jim Cunningham to talk about what they will play on the concert. They also touched on other topics like the PSO's recent 4th of July concerts, the upcoming tour of Europe, the Festival in Danbury Connecticut Jacob will participate in, and a recap of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra tour of Greece. Catch members of the Pittsburgh Symphony at the City of Pittsburgh's FREE Bach, Beethoven and Brunch concert - Sunday July 19th, 10:30am at Mellon Park (Rose Garden Lawn at the intersection of 5th and Shady Avenues.) 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.

Emmy Award-winning composer Bruce Broughton speaks with Anna Singer about his album, And on the Sixth Day / String Theory from the Naxos label. He also touches on his celebrated career as a film and television composer, having worked on Tombstone, Miracle on 34th Street, Hawaii Five-O, and more. Bruce talks about his approach to composing, how he handles instrumentation, and writing themes. He tells the story of his piece And on the Sixth Day, which highlights oboist Olivier Stankiewicz. Bruce also remembers starting his film career at CBS surrounded by the likes of Henry Mancini and Jerry Goldsmith, and provides insight into the life of a studio musician. For more information and to purchase Bruce's CD, And on the Sixth Day / String Theory, visit the Naxos label 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 New Ground Orchestra Festival returns for its second annual concert at Penn State's main campus on Friday, July 31st! Founder and conductor Rebekah O'Brien speaks with Jim Cunningham about the festival. Rebekah created the New Ground Orchestra Festival as a supportive community for women in classical music. The festival with open with Fanny Mendelssohn's Overture in C and closes with Dvořák's New World Symphony. In addition to the concert, the festivals rehearsals are open to the public and take place July 28th through the open dress rehearsal on the morning of the 31st. Jim and Rebekah also listen to an excerpt of the second movement of Felix Mendelssohn's Italian symphony from last summer's festival. The festival concert is free to attend and takes place on Friday, July 31st at 7:30pm at Penn State's School of Music Recital Hall. More information is available on the New Ground Orchestra Festival Facebook page. 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.

Johnstown's Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company continues their run of A Midsummer Night's Dream this weekend in Powell Stackhouse Park. Doug Meagher, who plays Bottom, speaks with Jim Cunningham about the show. The company celebrates their 35th anniversary this year. Doug has been with performing with them for many years and talks about why he loves Shakespeare and theater. Doug says this production has been a lot of fun to prepare and shares his favorite things about his character, Bottom. He also praises his fellow cast members and the company's founders for their work sharing Shakespeare with the Johnstown community. Don't miss A Midsummer Night's Dream tonight, July 15th, through Sunday, July 19th, every evening at 7:00pm, at Powell Stackhouse Park. Guests are encouraged to park at Westmont Elementary School and take the shuttle down to the performance location. More information is available on the Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company'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.

Filmmaker Thomas Essig's documentary Something Divine comes to WQED+ this Friday, July 17th! Thomas speaks with Melissa Black about the story of the film. Thomas calls Something Divine a healing journey about learning how to love yourself and others. He drew on his own experiences--growing up religious, struggling with expression, and discovering spiritualism through yoga philosophy--to form the concept of this documentary. Thomas talks about getting the idea from a joke about Ray Cappo, lead singer of the hardcore punk band Youth of Today, who went to India to become the monk Raghunath. You can learn more about Something Divine on the film's website. Access WQED+ on your Smart TV, streaming services, or through your browser. 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 University of Pittsburgh Bands will host their first Summer Concert Band performance! Brad Townsend, Director of Bands, and Michael Buckstein, Assistant Director of Bands, speak with Melissa Black about the concert. This unique ensemble features Pitt students, alumni, faculty and staff, local high school musicians, and community members. Michael talks about taking inspiration from IUP's Associate Director of Bands Jason Worzbyt to create a concert that brings together the entire Pitt community. The program is themed around America's 250th, featuring a wide variety of American music from classical to pop. The concert will take place at Bellefield Hall on Pitt's campus on Saturday, July 25th at 7:00pm. Admission is free, and a livestream is also available via YouTube. More information is available on the University of Pittsburgh 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 Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra will take the stage at Mellon Park this weekend for Bach, Beethoven and Brunch! Conductor Pierce Cook speaks with Melissa Black about the concert. TRYPO will feature some of their string players this weekend with a program titled "Be Water, My Friend." Pierce talks about how he came up with the water theme, which includes selections from Water Music, the African American spiritual "Deep River," and popular songs "Rolling in the Deep" and "Shallow." He also emphasizes the importance of fostering young musicians and praises TRYPO's commitment to music education. Head out to Mellon Park to hear TRYPO play at Bach, Beethoven and Brunch this Sunday, July 12th at 10:30am. You can find more information and check out the rest of this summer’s lineup on the City of Pittsburgh 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.

One month on from the passing of Joe Negri, Mister Rogers' drummer Bobby Rawsthorne remembers his friend. Bobby spoke with Jim Cunningham by phone about working on the show with Joe and more. Bobby recalls fond memories from the set of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, including a time when Joe was suspended mid-air for a production of a children's opera. He says he felt incredibly fortunate to be part of the show and to play with the extremely talented members of the band. Bobby also talks about growing up in Pittsburgh playing music, meeting legendary drummer Gene Krupa, and gigging around the city. 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 singer-songwriter Madeline Sclichter has been named as one of the winners of this year's Write Out Loud contest! Madeline speaks with Melissa Black about the contest and teases an upcoming new single. Madeline's song, "Queen Bee," which was inspired in part by Mean Girls the Musical, was one of over 400 submissions to the contest. She'll get to travel to New York for a special recording and performance of the song. Madeline and Melissa also talk about her upcoming single, "Falling for the 412," a love letter to Pittsburgh that will release on August 5th. Madeline is currently a student at Duquesne University, and she shares her experience pursuing medicine while working as an artist in Pittsburgh. You can learn more about the Write Out Loud contest on their website. Check out Madeline's social media page, @maddiejosings, on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. 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 Pittsburgh Savoyards open their 89th season with the adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s world-famous detective in Sherlock Holmes and the Web of Deceit, a new adaptation written and directed by Robert Hockenberry. Rob joined Anna Singer to chat about the show. Rob talks about stripping the adaptation back to the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle texts, and modernizing Sherlock's language. He says the size of the performance space provides an intimate setting, allowing for high audience immersion. Rob also discusses working with the cast on dialects and highlights his favorite moments. Sherlock Holmes and the Web of Deceit runs at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center from July 10th through July 25th. More information and tickets are available on the Pittsburgh Savoyards 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.

RealTime Arts present their July program, Equitable Dinners, a play, a meal, and a conversation. Co-Founders Rusty Thelin and Molly Rice, and performer Malika Cleckley, spoke with Anna Singer live on the QED Afternoon Show about the events. Rusty talks about the origin of the program, which began with Out of Hand Theater in Atlanta, Georgia. Molly goes over what to expect--she wrote the play based on conversations with Pennsylvanians about what it means to be American. The evening is meant to encourage friendly discourse between attendees. Malika relates her experience of creating in the midst of activity and preparing for such an intimate role. Equitable Dinners runs from July 8th-31st at various small venues. In addition to the intimate dinners, a public performance will be given on July 24th at the Millvale Food and Energy Hub. Venue locations, more information, and tickets are available on RealTime Arts' 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.

Aria412 presents Anything Goes: The Music of Cole Porter on Tuesday, July 7th at 7:00pm. Co-founder Desirée Soteres and emcee Kip Soteres spoke with Anna Singer live on the QED Afternoon Show about the evening. Desirée talks about starting Aria412 ten years ago, which she founded as a platform for Pittsburgh singers and artists to build a community and try new genres. Anything Goes continues Aria412's American Songbook series, which has included music by Gershwin and Bernstein in recent years. Kip tells Anna how he prepares for these concerts, and making opera more accessible. Kip and Desirée also plug Aria412's upcoming reading of The Odyssey on July 12th at Hop Farm Brewing Company. You can hear the music of Cole Porter with Aria412 on July 7th at 7:00pm at Hop Farm Brewing Company, located at 5601 Butler Street. The concert is free and open to all. More information is available on Aria412'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 Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra will tour Italy this summer! Anna Singer speaks with Executive Director Eftihia Arkoudis and Music Director Patrick Forsyth about the tour. Also hear from some of PYPO's tour musicians. Stops along the tour include Cremona, Tuscany, Verona, and Venice. Their touring program has pieces from Henry Mancini, Verdi, Vivaldi, and more. Eftihia and Patrick also tease the next season, and talk about working together with other youth ensembles in the Pittsburgh area. Musicians Sean and Eric Bouwers, Leona The, and Tobias Stauffer tell Anna how they've been gearing up for the tour, starting out on their instruments, and balancing practice time. The musicians also performed in the WQED studio. Sean and Eric played the third movement from Reinhold Glière's 8 Duets for Violin and Cello, Leona played the Saint-Saëns Allegro passionada for cello, Tobias played a solo from Leroy Anderson's "A Trumpeter's Lullaby." PYPO will host a farewell concert on July 8th before going on tour July 10th-20th. You can find more information about the Italy Tour and the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra on PYPO'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 city unveiled on Friday, June 26th a historical marker dedicated to George B. Vashon, a 19th-century abolitionist, educator, lawyer and writer. Jim Cunningham attended the ceremony, and spoke with Paul N.D. Thornell, great-grandson of George B. Vashon, and A.G. Miller, a retired professor at Oberlin College, from which Vashon. was the first Black graduate. The ceremony took place at the site of the Vashon family's historical home and business, which also served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Thornell talks with pride about the accomplishments and contributions of George B. Vashon and his father, John B. Vashon, who was a veteran of the War of 1812. He also discusses working with Mayor O'Connor and the city's Department of Public Works to unveil this marker. A.G. Miller, who taught American and African American religious history at Oberlin for 27 years, represented the college at the ceremony. Professor Miller talks about George B. Vashon's time at Oberlin, where he began his education at just 15 years old.  In 1835, Oberlin began to "admit [students] without regard for color," including John Mercer Langston, who was mentored by George B. Vashon. The historical marker honoring George B. Vashon is located near the intersection of Third Avenue and Market Street at PPG Place in Downtown 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.

Subscriptions to Chatham Baroque's 2026-2027 season are available now! Associate Artistic Director Andrew Fouts, Managing & Artistic Director Scott Pauley, and Co-Founder Patricia Halverson spoke with Anna Singer live on the QED Afternoon Show about the season and celebrating 35 years. Patty has been with Chatham Baroque since the beginning, Scott joined in the late 90s, and Andrew joined the group nearly 20 years ago. They talk about the concerts, which feature an America 250 celebration, Renaissance music, traditional Latin American music, and much more. They also tease returning favorites, including A Vivaldi Christmas, Art of the Trio, and their Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions. Chatham Baroque kick off their 35th anniversary celebrations with Confluence on October 2nd-4th. You can find more information about the full season and purchase subscriptions and single tickets on Chatham Baroque'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 Chautauqua Institution are gearing up for their 2026 season! Chief Program Officer Deborah Sunya Moore speaks with Jim Cunningham about upcoming events, including WQED's two visits to the campus. WQED's first trip to Chautauqua is on July 2nd for an evening with Sutton Foster and Kelli O'Hara. They will give a talk in the morning, followed by an opening night performance with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. Deborah talks the many activities and amenities available, including theater and opera performances, classes, lakeside trails, and more. She also teases the rest of the season, including lectures from Ken Burns and Neil deGrasse Tyson, and WQED's second trip for Carl Orff's Carmina Burana on July 25th. Find more information about An Evening with Sutton Foster & Kelli O'Hara and Carmina Burana and explore all that Chautauqua has to offer on the Chautauqua Institution'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.

Pittsburgh Festival Opera presents The Three Tenors this weekend at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. General Manager/Artistic Director Marianne Cornetti, conductor Christopher Franklin, and the three tenors, John Osborn, Victor Cardamone, Greg Kunde, spoke with Anna Singer live on the QED Afternoon Show about the concert. The program combines music by Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and José Carreras for the first ever Three Tenors concert in Pittsburgh. John, Victor, and Greg talk about participating in this performance and share their favorite pieces. Christopher discusses the challenge of rehearsing this eclectic program, which includes 26 pieces. Marianne explains how the concert came together and invites concertgoers to the reception following the performance. Join Pittsburgh Festival Opera for this magical performance this Sunday, June 28th at 3:00pm at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. More information and tickets are available on Pittsburgh Festival Opera'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 River City Brass Band will play at Mellon Park this Sunday, June 28th as part of Bach, Beethoven and Brunch! Artistic & General Director James Gourlay and Principal Euphonium Algirdas Matonis joined Jim Cunningham live on the QED Morning Show to chat and play. The band will play a variety of marches, classic rock, and other quintessential American tunes. Algirdas talks about coming to Pittsburgh from Lithuania and finding a home with River City Brass. James praises the musical evolution of the band, and runs through their other upcoming performances this summer. James and Algirdas also played two pieces, arranged for tuba and euphonium, live in the WQED-FM recording studio. They began with Bach's "Air on the G String" and continued WQED-FM's 9:05am Mozart tradition with the Horn Duets. Join River City Brass for a "Brass-tacular" concert this Sunday, June 28th at 10:30am in Mellon Park. You can find more information and check out the rest of this summer's Bach, Beethoven and Brunch lineup on the City of Pittsburgh 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.

Students from Carnegie Mellon University's Preparatory School will participate in a Concerto Fest! Luz Manriquez, Director of the school's Piano Division, and her student Alex Shen speak with Jim Cunningham about the performances. There are 25 young performers involved, ranging from age 7-18. They will each play one movement of a concerto. Luz, along with her colleagues Sung-Im Kim and Amaury Morales, serve as the orchestra.  Alex and Luz also play the final movement of Alexander Peskanov's Concerto No. 5 for Piano and Orchestra, which Alex will play at the Concerto Fest. The Preparatory School's first Concerto Fest performance is on Sunday, June 28th at 5:00pm at CMU's Kresge Theater. A second performance follows on Sunday, July 12th at 5:00pm. More information is available on Carnegie Mellon University'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.

Acclaimed sleight-of-hand artist Dan Kamin brings THE MAGIC LESSON to the Greer Cabaret Theater! He speaks with Anna Singer about the show. Dan talks about finding inspiration from gamblers, card sharks, and con-men, and adapting his magic-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also remembers learning body movement from Jewel Walker at Carnegie Mellon University. THE MAGIC LESSON is an intimate magic show that marks Dan's return to downtown Pittsburgh. Join Dan Kamin for THE MAGIC LESSON at the Greer Cabaret Theater next weekend. Performances take place on Friday, June 25th at 7:30pm, Saturday, June 26th at 7:30pm, and Sunday, June 27th at 7:30pm. More information and tickets are available on the Cultural Trust'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 Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra is on an eleven-day international concert tour of Greece. The tour will feature four concerts in Thessaloniki, at the Amphitheatre in Ancient Phillipi (UNESCO Site), Volos, and Athens. During a break in rehearsal before their first concert of the tour, WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Music Director Jacob Joyce, violinist Eloise Johnson, trumpet Evan Lavalee, and Executive Director Bill Powers. They each talked about the trip so far, any sights they've enjoyed seeing, and the music they are looking forward to playing the most. 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.

Bach, Beethoven and Brunch kicks off this weekend, and the East Winds Symphonic Band serves as this summer's opener! Conductor Susan Sands and co-founder/euphonium player Roger Schneider speak with Bryan Sejvar about the band and their concert program. Roger recounts the history of the band, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. Susan joined the band as an oboe player in 1988 and began conducting two years later. She runs through program, which celebrates America's 250th with arrangement of Star-Spangled Banner, Shenandoah, Sousa's Liberty Bell March, and more. Susan and Roger also talk about how special it is to perform at Bach, Beethoven and Brunch. Join the East Winds Symphonic Band at 10:30am this Sunday, June 21st at Bach, Beethoven and Brunch in Mellon Park! More information about this summer's series is available on the City of Pittsburgh 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.

RESCHEDULED: Performances of The Cowboy Evolves have been rescheduled to the following dates: Monday, July 13 at 7pm - City of Asylum Tuesday, July 14 at 7:30pm - Vanka Murals, St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church in Millvale   Chamber Music Pittsburgh presents their 2026 Pittsburgh Performs series! Jim Cunningham speaks with PSO Paul J. Ross Fellow bassoonist Carlos Clark, PSO violinist Jennifer Orchard, and violinist Omari Abdul-Alim about the programs. The first concert is titled A Hip Hop 250, featuring singer-songwriter-producer INEZ and the Guardians of Sound Hip Hop Orchestra. Omari talks about working with INEZ and arranging hip hop for orchestra. Carlos curated the second program, The Cowboy Evolves: Journeys Through the Music of Americas, which highlights music by Florence Price, Miguel del Águila, Villa Lobos, and Wynton Marsalis. There are two chances to see each concert, with four total performances across four different venues. Tickets are pay-what-you-wish. For more detailed information, visit Chamber Music Pittsburgh'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.

Resonance Works present a new version of Gounod’s Roméo & Juliette. Anna Singer spoke with conductor/producer Maria Sensi Sellner, director Justin Lucero, and the actors playing our star-crossed lovers, Ben Werley and Helen Zhibing Huang, live on the QED Afternoon Show about the production. Maria talks about creating this version of the opera with Justin and bringing it to the New Hazlett with Resonance Works' orchestra. Justin discusses the interactive staging and performing Shakespeare in a modern context. Helen and Ben tell Anna how they prepare for these roles, and pick some favorite moments. Anna, Maria, Justin, Ben, and Helen also listen to an excerpt of a duet from Act 4. Roméo & Juliette will be at the New Hazlett Theater on Friday, June 19th at 8:00pm and Sunday, June 21st at 3:00pm. More information and tickets are available on Resonance Works' 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 Blairsville Chamber Music Festival returns this weekend! Blairsville Chamber Music Society's Executive Director Sarah Marshall and Artistic Director Avital Mazor spoke with Anna Singer live on the QED Afternoon Show about the concert lineup. Sarah explains how the festival got its start, and moving back to her hometown from New York City. Avital talks about this year's program, spanning five concerts. The festival begins on Friday, June 19th with Vivaldi's Four Seasons, followed by a concert of Viennese music on Sunday, June 21st. Their America 250 program on Thursday, June 25th serves as the world premiere of music by festival musician Owen Dodds. The grand finale takes place on Sunday, June 28th and features Mozart's Grande Sestetto Concertante and Mendelssohn's Octet. Anna, Sarah, and Avital also listen to a recording of the fourth movement from Brahms' First Piano Quartet, captured at BCMS's April 2026 concert. Get to Blairsville for a week of chamber music! Performance details and tickets can be found on the Blairsville Chamber Music Society 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.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra come together this weekend for Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring. PBT Artistic Director Adam McKinney speaks with Anna Singer by phone about the collaboration. PBT will perform Mark Godden’s choreography, Angels in the Architecture, which is a tribute to communities of the Shaker religious sect. The performance will feature the set pieces from the ballet's premiere of Angels in Architecture earlier this year. Adam talks about how special it is to dance with live musicians, and the beauty of Copland's music. Don't miss this spectacular collaboration between the PSO and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Performances take place at Heinz Hall on Friday, June 19th at 7:30pm, Saturday, June 20th at 7:30pm, and on Sunday, June 21st at 2:30pm. More information and tickets are available on the Pittsburgh Symphony'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.

French Moderns: Matisse / Renoir / Degas opens at The Frick Pittsburgh on June 20th! Chief Curator & Director of Collections Dawn Brean and Director of Learning & Visitor Experience Kelsie Paul spoke with Anna Singer about bringing the exhibition and its surrounding programs to life. Dawn talks about the curatorial process, which begins with an idea and manifests as crates of artwork. Some of the featured artists--in addition to the eponymous three--include Paul Cézanne, Marc Chagall, and Gabriele Münter. Kelsie delves into the many opportunities to engage with the exhibition. Museum goers can attend art history lectures, evening tours, workshops, a concert given by pianist Leslie Amper, and more. French Moderns: Matisse / Renoir / Degas will be on view through October 11th. You can find more information about the exhibition and explore its connected programs on the Frick'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.

A rare staging of Shakespeare's Hamlet, based on the first quarto, will be at the University of Pittsburgh's Rauh Theater this weekend! Director Jeremy Seghers and actor Ayden Freed speak with Melissa Black about the show. The first quarto, infamously referred to as the "bad quarto," is the earliest and least known text of Hamlet. Jeremy talks about why he wanted to tackle this version of the play and the key differences between Q1 and the first folio. Ayden, who graduated from Point Park University this past spring, plays Hamlet, and explains taking on the character and the rehearsal process. Ayden also performs Hamlet's soliloquy from Act 1 Scene 2. Don't miss your chance to see this rare staging of Shakespeare's earliest version of Hamlet. "Hamlet: The Bad Quarto" will be at the Richard E. Rauh Theater, located in the basement of the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning. The show opens this weekend, June 19th and runs through June 28th. More information and tickets are available through Eventbrite. 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.

Happy Pride Month, neighbors! In this episode, local drag artist Kaydence McQueen sits down with WQED Digital Correspondent Nick Tommarello to chat about Pittsburgh's drag culture and her Pride activities. Kaydence was drawn to drag through gender expression, and she enjoys combining her passion for theater and fashion in her performances. Kaydence takes Nick through what goes into creating her drag performances, whether the process starts with a certain look, song, or story she wants to tell. Nick and Kaydence comment on Pittsburgh's unique drag scene, which they say focuses less on pageantry and more on uplifting identity. Pittsburgh drag is built on connection and kindness. Kaydence recommends P Town Bar (where she hosts performances every Monday night), Blue Moon, and 5801 as top spots to see drag shows. 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 Lindsay Theater's 2026 summer season is bringing back the 90s! Their Director of Communications and Media Relations, Josh Axelrod, stopped by the WQED-FM studio to chat with Anna Singer about the lineup. The series opens with Jerry Maguire, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. It also commemorates 35 years of Boyz N the Hood and Thelma & Louise. And, of course, Jurassic Park, Ghost, Basic Instinct, The Pelican Brief, and The Mask. Josh and Anna highlight what makes these films special, touch on fly fishing in A River Runs Through It, and champion the enduring appeal of cinema. The Lindsay is also continuing its other exciting programs. On Thursday, June 18th, Phillip "DJ Big Phill" Thompson will present a documentary about the history of Black comic book culture. And on Friday, June 19th 7:30pm John "Buzz" Moyer, a Sewickley native, will give a talk about his work on Steven Spielberg's upcoming film, Disclosure Day. There are two opportunities to see each of the nine movies in the series. For showtimes and ticket details, visit the Lindsay Theater'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.

Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch returns to Mellon Park this summer! The City of Pittsburgh's Special Events Coordinator Melissa Culbertson speaks with Bryan Sejvar about the lineup. East Winds Symphonic Band kicks off the series on June 21st, followed by River City Brass, TRYPO, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and Academy Concerts. Melissa explains the selection process for performers, bringing young musicians to the series, and the various brunch activities. All programs are free, with free parking available near the park. Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch concerts take place every Sunday from 10:30am-12:00pm. The series takes a week off on July 5th to celebrate the July 4th holiday. Performance details and more information is available on the city'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.

Renaissance City Winds hosts an America 250 concert this weekend! Bassoonist and composer R. James Whipple and organist Mark Brampton Smith speak with Jim Cunningham about the program. The concert features a touring program, which includes John Knowles Paine's "variations on Star-Spangled Banner," Joseph Haydn's "St. Anthony Chorale", and a piece by Jim Whipple called "Wedding Music for Kensington." Mark and Jim talks about the venue's rebuilt pipe organ and their respective careers. Jim, Mark, and Jim also listen to recordings made by Renaissance City Winds: "The Vale of Dreams" and "The Night Winds" from Charles Tomlinson Griffes' Three Tone-Pictures, and "Co-motion," the third movement of Maria Thompson Corley's Sextet in C's. The concert will take place at St. Anthony Church in Troy Hill on Friday, June 12 at 7:30pm. Tickets are a $20 suggested donation. More information is available on Renaissance City Winds' 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 Mariposas Galácticas is an 8-piece Cumbia Klezmer Punk band from Philadelphia, PA. Combining band members’ South American and Jewish ancestries, the band creates a unique diasporic sound that gets audiences everywhere dancing with rebellious joy. By honoring their Indigenous Andean musical roots, blended together with punkified ancient Jewish melodies, the band plays a mixture of original and classic tunes that span different languages, cultures, and genres. The band plays the Three Rivers Arts Festival on Saturday June 13th at 4pm on the Arts Landing Dollar Bank Stage.  WQED-FM's Melissa Black spoke to members Maria Paz Ordoñez (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Gary Galapagos (lead electric guitar), and Ariel Goodman (clarinet, vocals) about the groups musical identity; where they band started; and what Pittsburghers can expect from their show.    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.

Thousand Bridges Opera returns to the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center for their 2026 Pride Month performance! Anna Singer spoke live on the QED Afternoon Show with co-founders Alicia Jayourba and Bridget Johnston, and cast members Denver Perdomo, Zachary Dean Smith, and Brienne Sharo. On the bill are the world premiere of Jodi Goble's Sirens vs Amazons, a sapphic rom-com, and a genderqueer English adaptation of Jacques Offenbach's Isle of Tulipatan. Bri, Zach, and Denver tell the story of Tulipatan, and talk about their characters. Bridget did a new translation for this adaptation, and Alicia directs. Bridget directs Sirens. Join Thousand Bridges Opera for "delightfully queer" performances this weekend, Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th. They'll be at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center in Bellevue at 7:30pm both evenings. More information and tickets can be found on Thousand Bridges' 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 Sacred Nine Project will be at The Woods House in Hazelwood tomorrow evening with a program titled Foster's Foils. Anna Singer speaks with creator C. Leonard Rayban and tenor Robert Frankenberry about the event. This program celebrates Stephen Foster's 200th birthday and serves as a commemoration of his work, while condemning his personal choices. "Nelly Bly" (Nelly Brown) appears in the program, which includes spirituals, abolitionist contemporary music, and original compositions. Leo and Rob will perform in a vocal quartet with collaborative pianist Ellen Fast, and featuring Regina YC Garcia as Nelly Bly. Regina will also read some of her own poems. Leo and Rob also recorded a mash-up Foster's piece, "Where is Thy Spirit Mary," which has strong connections with the Woods House, and Vincenzo Bellini's "Vaga luna, che inargenti." Foster's Foils takes place tomorrow, June 9th, at The Woods House in Hazelwood. Doors open at 6:00pm, followed by a dinner and book discussion with author Christopher Lynch, and the performance. The evening is sold out. More information is available at Sacred Nine Project'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.

This summer, WQED celebrates Rick Sebak's 50 years in public television! Rick hopped over to the WQED-FM studio to chat with Anna Singer live on the QED Afternoon Show about his illustrious career. Rick started out in public broadcasting as a summer intern at South Carolina Educational Television in 1973. He worked on a children's program there hosted by Josie Carey, called "WHEEE." Rick also shares some of his memorable WQED programs and extends thanks to all of the crew members he's worked with over the years. Every Thursday night this summer at 9:00pm, WQED will broadcast two hours of Rick Sebak specials! The first program, on June 11th, includes Rick's Kennywood Memories, That Kennywood Year, and Don't Stand Up. Summer of Sebak programs will re-air on Saturdays at 1:00pm, and you can stream all of Rick's material on WQED+. 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 Negri loved Pittsburgh, and touched the lives of so many Pittsburghers. This week, WQED Executive Producer Minette Seate and WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with friends of Joe who worked with him on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, as a performing musician, and as an educator. Bill Isler, who served as President and CEO of Fred Rogers Productions in the 1980s, tells Minette about working with Joe on Mister Rogers, his kindness and love for sharing music with others. Jim speaks with Margy Whitmer, a producer on Mister Rogers' who was in the studio with Joe, Fred, and the whole neighborhood, about her favorite memories with Joe. Marty Ashby, Executive Producer at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, remembers the first time he heard Joe play. He says Joe was always genuine; whether he was performing at Heinz Hall or at a preschool, he always found joy in entertaining people. And Tom Roberts, among many things a pianist, worked with Joe on multiple projects, and praised his ability to bring out the inner child in each of us. He shares with Minette a recording of a solo Joe did with Shep Fields' reed band on the tune "Sheik of Araby." WQED will air a special tribute to Joe tonight, 6/4 at 9:00pm, titled Joe Negri: A Homemade Musician. The film follows his rise from a young music lover to jazz innovator, guitar educator, and Fred Rogers regular. 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.