WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Anne-Marie McDermott’s newest musical love

“The Amy Beach concerto is the newest love of my life,” says American classical pianist Anne-Marie McDermott, who will perform the piece with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Nov. 1-3, 2024. In this feature with WRR’s Amy Bishop, McDermott explains why she has been quick to adore the piece.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Art & classical music prevail at the Art Worth Fest

Art Worth is Fort Worth’s newest art festival with its own unique characteristics. The three-day juried festival at the Shops at Clearfork includes numerous artist demonstrations and live classical music performances. In this feature with WRR’s Amy Bishop, the festival’s coordinator Greg Belz expands upon some of this year’s offerings.

How DSO’s Pops season aims to reach more audiences

Every year, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents a pops season to complement their classical concerts by offering a variety of other genres -from pop music, movie scores, Broadway, and more. In this feature with WRR’s Amy Bishop, DSO’s director of orchestra operations and pops programming Tom Brekhus gives an overview of the concerts planned this… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: This Chickasaw classical composer is on a world premiere tour, with Fort Worth as his next stop

Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth welcomes the Dover Quartet to perform a newly commissioned work by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, a Chickasaw American Indian classical composer and pianist. In this feature with WRR’s Amy Bishop, CMSFW Artistic Director Gary Levinson talks more about the concert, which includes a chance to meet the composer.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: A look at the past, present & future for Dallas Winds

After 40 years as founding Executive Director of the Dallas Winds, Kim Campbell has retired. Stepping in as his successor is Michelle Hall, who formerly managed the Victoria Symphony. In this conversation with WRR’s Amy Bishop, Campbell and Hall talk more about the early days of the Dallas Winds, their impact on the band community,… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: A balance of the old and new for DSO’s 2024-25 classical season

Familiar warhorse classical works are abundant this season, but the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is taking a great effort to incorporate works by contemporary composers – including multiple world premieres. In this feature with WRR’s Amy Bishop, DSO Chief Artistic Officer Katie McGuinness gives a sampling of their offerings.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: FW Symphony’s Principal Cello brings a Schumann favorite to Bass Hall

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Cello Allan Steele has been playing cello since the age of four, but this weekend will be his first time to play Schumann’s Cello Concerto. In this feature with WRR’s Amy Bishop, he talks about his favorite part of the work, and the enduring popularity of the other piece on… Read more »

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Meet the flutist joining Dallas Bach Society for a benefit concert

In this podcast, WRR’s Kurt Rongey talks with Siberian flutist Taya König-Tarasevich and the Dallas Bach Society’s James Richman about their upcoming concert at Zion Lutheran Church. Tarasevich also discusses her period instrument group Verità Baroque and how they’re creating enchanting virtual reality experiences for experiencing baroque music in German castles. Plus, James Richman previews… Read more »