Podcasts

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: How the Dallas Symphony is bringing the music to YOU

“We want to do what we do everywhere, for everybody,” says Scott Walzel, Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Associate Principal Bassoon and Director of Community Development. This fall, the DSO has launched a series of free community concerts across the city and beyond, ranging from pop-up performances by The Concert Truck and chamber music performances at Klyde… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Dracula is coming to life in Dallas in this Avant Chamber Ballet production

“It’s incredibly danceable music,” says Katie Puder, Avant Chamber Ballet’s Artistic Director, describing Philip Glass’ music to Dracula. The ballet company will bring the story to life on stage at Moody Performance Hall in October, just in time for Halloween. Puder gives more details on her vision for the production in this feature with WRR’s… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Ben Folds and the Dallas Symphony are uniting for a classically cool crossover experience

“I always hope that my shows can be a way in for some people,” says singer/songwriter/pianist Ben Folds. “What I want is for people to see the orchestra in the best possible light and then come back and see Prokofiev, or Ravel or Beethoven or Mozart or Mahler. There’s really insanely good music right around… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: TWO nights in Vienna with the Plano Symphony Orchestra

“Historically, Vienna has always been regarded as the city of music,” explains Maestro Hector Guzman, Music Director and Conductor of the Plano Symphony Orchestra. Soon, they’ll bring the music of Vienna to the Eisemann Center, followed by their first-ever performance at SMU’s Caruth Auditorium. In this feature with WRR’s Amy Bishop, Guzman talks about the… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: TACA’s new fundraising concept is progressive… literally

“You can only cram so much art in one night,” say Maura Sheffler, the Donna Wilhelm Family President and Executive Director of TACA – The Arts Community Alliance. “So we decided to create this theory, The Fall Arts Crawl.” Taking place over the course of multiple evenings at various locations with various artists, the events… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: It turns out doctors can also be awesome classical musicians

The World Doctors Orchestra consists of approximately 1800 medical professionals who perform around the globe. This October, about 100 will gather in Dallas for a couple of concerts benefiting two local charities. In this feature, WRR’s Amy Bishop chats with two of the organization’s members: Dr. Sing-Yi Feng and Dr. Noah DeGarmo.

WRR 101 Focus on the Arts: Seriously, this Dallas Winds season opener is HUGE

“Any time that we can, we love to use the organ in the Meyerson because that Fisk organ is such an amazing instrument. It works so well with the wind band….just the combination of forces is really thrilling,” explains Jerry Junkin, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dallas Winds. The Dallas Winds open their 2023-24… Read more »

WRR 101 Focus on the Arts: DSO’s Fabio Luisi makes Pops debut with American Songbook program

“We play for the audience, not for ourselves,” says Fabio Luisi, Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. “The reaction of the audience and the fact to have an audience while we’re playing is very important.” Now entering his fourth year with the DSO, Luisi will makes his Pops debut with the orchestra to lead… Read more »

WRR 101 Focus on the Arts: A French-flavored season opener with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra

“This suite is for very large orchestra – which all the orchestras for the Ballet Russes were – and you’ll see that on the stage with us,” says Maestro Clay Couturiaux, Music Director and Conductor of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, describing Ravel’s whirling Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2. The RSO will perform the work… Read more »