Author: Amy Bishop

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Catching up with pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin ahead of his Cliburn concert

In this podcast with WRR’s Kurt Rongey, pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin talks in-depth about his experiences writing a commissioned work for The Cliburn, where North Texas fits into the worldwide music scene, what it was like recording his own music, and what’s coming up in new releases.Photo by Sim Cannety-Clarke

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: And the DSO Music Teacher of the Year award goes to…

“Elementary music teachers often get overlooked with the hard work that they’re doing to educate our children, and so we wanted to give a time to recognize them and celebrate their accomplishments,” says Jennifer Guzman, Director of Education for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The DSO has tapped Chris Drews from Leslie A. Stemmons Elementary School… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Rock drummer Stewart Copeland on composing, teaching, and his recent award from SMU

“I’m primarily known for aggressing upon inanimate objects,” says Stewart Copeland, drummer and founding member of the rock band The Police, referencing an award he recently received from the SMU Meadows School. “To be elevated among such illustrious company is a bigger deal for me than it is for that other illustrious company… So I… Read more »

WRR101: DSO is prepping for its European tour – here’s what it’ll include

It’s taken three years of planning and prep, but the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is heading to Europe this summer. In this podcast, WRR’s Kurt Rongey chats with Kim Noltemy, the DSO Ross Perot President & CEO, who gives details on tour dates, destinations, star soloists and works, including new pieces by Angelica Negron and Sophia… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: A preview of FWSO’s 24-25 season – It’s BIG!

In a recent conversation with WRR’s Kurt Rongey, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s President and CEO Keith Cerny gives a detailed overview of the 2024-25 FWSO season, including opera and dance on stage, a major work by Jake Heggie, plus more about soloists, guest conductors and their chamber music series at the Kimbell.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Dallas Opera’s Ian Derrer with a sneak peek at what to expect in their ambitious 24-25 season

In this interview, WRR’s Kurt Rongey and Ian Derrer, The Dallas Opera’s Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO, go in-depth about the 2024-25 productions, singers, guest conductors, and special TITAS recital with Christian Gerhaher and family operas.Photo credit: Kyle Flubacker

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: DFW musicians unite to help animals in need

“I think my favorite thing, being a Dallas Symphony musician, is seeing the Meyerson lobby on that day filled with animals,” says Erin Hannigan, Principal Oboe for the DSO, referencing Artists for Animals’ annual benefit concert for shelter animals. In this feature with WRR’s Amy Bishop, you’ll hear more about the organization’s mission, history, and… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Rock meets Bach with this classical crossover group coming to North Texas

“I think when you have people who are doing something that they are so passionate about – that’s their life’s work – where every moment onstage, they are doing what were meant to do, the audience knows that,” says violinist Lindsay Deutsch of the Classical Crossover group, Take Three. Ahead of their concert at the… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: These four Dallas arts groups are getting $$$ for NEW works

“There’s such incredible work happening here and we are so proud to do our part,” says Maura Sheffler, the Donna Wilhelm Family President & Executive Director of TACA – The Arts Community Alliance – which recently distributed $125,000 to four Dallas arts organizations. Hear more about those groups and the works they’re creating in this… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: A Puccini Double Bill with SMU’s Meadows Lyric Theatre

“I think what makes these works still so viable today is that Puccini had this amazing ability to get to the heart of the human condition,” says Michael Scarola, Interim Director of SMU’s Meadows Lyric Theatre, referencing the two enduring operatic masterpieces they’ll perform February 15-18, 2024. In this feature with WRR’s Amy Bishop, Scarola… Read more »