Archives: Posts

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: Why UT Dallas is a guitarist’s dream

Now in its 19th year, the University of Texas at Dallas’ Guitar Competition and Festival has become a destination for guitarists and guitar lovers. Hear Director Enric Madriguera and Guitar Advisory Board chairman Russell Cleveland speak with WRR’s Amy Bishop about this year’s highlights and why the event continues to draw international talent

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: TACA honors Former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, community leader Matrice Ellis-Kirk for 2020 Silver Cup Award

Every year, TACA — The Arts Community Alliance — honors two people who have made immense contributions to supporting the artistic ecosystem of North Texas. WRR’s Amy Bishop sat down for an engaging conversation with the 2020 Silver Cup Award honorees, former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and business/community leader Matrice Ellis-Kirk.

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: A World Premiere by the Verdigris Ensemble, based on the American Dust Bowl

The Verdigris Ensemble is known for its thoughtful and immersive multi-media choral performances. That reputation continues with a compelling new production inspired by the stories of the American environmental disaster of the 1930s, known today as the Dust Bowl. Hear WRR’s Amy Bishop visit with Verdigris Ensemble’s founder and Artistic Director Sam Brukhman about this… Read more »

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: American Baroque Opera’s harmonically daring new production

Described as harmonically daring and avante-garde, the American Baroque Opera Co. and Ballet Dallas present “The Elements” as part of the Dallas Arts District’s Elevator Project. Hear WRR’s Barry Samsula chat with ABO Co’s Artistic Director Eric Smith about this production, which combines rarely heard instrumental and vocal music of the baroque with modern ballet.

Classical 101.1 WRR Focus on the Arts: Chatting with guitar goddess Sharon Isbin

Along with being named Musical America’s 2020 Instrumentalist of the Year, Sharon Isbin has a lot of exciting things happening right now, including a concert with the Plano Symphony Orchestra. Hear her visit with WRR’s Amy Bishop to talk about the upcoming concert, playing Indian Classical music, and an amazing story involving a meeting with… Read more »