Author: Amy Bishop

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: Here’s how the City of McKinney celebrates the 4th of July — and how WRR is involved

Every 4th of July, WRR joins forces with the City of McKinney for the best Independence Day celebration in DFW – Red White and Boom! It’s an entire day of fun, beginning with a good old-fashioned parade in the historic downtown, followed by a block party, and ending with a huge fireworks display at night… Read more »

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: The Mimir Chamber Music Festival Celebrates 25 years as a summer highlight in DFW’s music scene

“One of the things we really pride ourselves on is programming,” says Mimir Chamber Music Festival founder and Executive Director Curt Thompson, who adds that this year’s festival includes some touching, retrospective performances: A tribute to the late Jose Feghali, a quartet by Jennifer Higdon, works by Florence Price, and more. The festival runs June… Read more »

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: How The Dallas Opera just got even more accessible to global audiences

“I think it really amounts to one word and that’s ‘accessibility,’” says The Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Ian Derrer. “During the pandemic, we wanted to make sure we remained accessible to our audiences here in Dallas – but we also knew that there was an opportunity to engage globally.” In this conversation with… Read more »

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra continues to cultivate the next generation of exceptional musicians

Fifty years ago, a group of parents, educators, and musicians who value music education banded together to create the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, which today includes nearly 500 students performing in nine ensembles from more than 50 communities in North Texas. WRR’s Amy Bishop sat down with GDYO’s Executive Director Cathy Hernandez to chat about… Read more »

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: Verdigris Ensemble closes their season with a program of healing

Dallas-based Verdigris Ensemble is wrapping up their first post-pandemic season with a program described as being a roadmap for healing trauma through community. Titled “How to Go On,” the concert includes two works by contemporary American composers, plus visual and interactive elements to heighten the performance experience. Verdigris’ Community Relations Manager Richard Oliver joined Amy… Read more »

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: DFW musicians unite for a concert to benefit Ukraine refugees

Some of the finest members of DFW’s music community are coming together to show their support for Ukraine through a benefit concert for internally displaced people and refugees within (and from) Ukraine. Hosted by St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano and programmed by the church’s Director of Music and Worship Arts Taylor Davis, funds… Read more »

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: Meet TACA’s 2022 Silver Cup Honorees

Each year, The Arts Community Alliance – or TACA – spotlights two individuals who have made lasting contributions to the cultural fabric of the community through their steadfast support for the arts. This year, it’s Jennifer Burr Altabef and Larry Angelili, who, along with TACA’s President and Executive Director Terry Loftis, joined WRR’s Amy Bishop… Read more »