The Music Plus Concert Series in Sewickley opens with a performance by tenor saxophone player James Houlik and pianist Vahan Sargsyan this Sunday, October 24 at 3pm. Jim talks about the concert program, teaching at Carnegie Mellon University, and his most memorable performances in this conversation with Katie Brill.

Voice of the Arts

James Houlik - Music Plus Concert Series

Kirby Dilworth will leave the stacks at the end of November 2021 after serving for 43 years as staff and music librarian at the Carnegie library of Pittsburgh main branch in the second floor music department. In this conversation with Jim Cunningham, Kirby considers the changes for libraries in the last half century and the continued relevance of the treasure found at Andrew Carnegie’s jewel in Oakland. Kirby has the story of several prominent guests who needed information from the library. Kirby Dilworth arrived with a degree from the University of Michigan and began a long singing career with the Bellefield Singers in Pittsburgh. 

Kirby Dilworth

Award-winning conductor and composer Lucas Richman talks with Katie Brill about his recent compositions, which include pieces about climate change in the Gulf of Maine, homelessness, gun violence, and a concerto called "A Meal with Luciana and Mario". Lucas has worked with orchestras for the past 40 years, and he is currently Music Director of the Bangor Symphony in Maine. He was Assistant and Resident Conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1998-2004 and has continued to be a great friend of the Pittsburgh community.

Lucas Richman

"Stories From the Igloo: Pittsburgh's Civic Arena" is the new book chronicling the many amazing events at the now gone former home of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Civic Light Opera. Lance Jones joins Jim Cunningham to discuss his contribution of two chapters and tackles the question of how often the roof opened and what made it such a challenge. Along with 11 visits of Bruce Springsteen and a puzzled visit by Kenny Loggins when he noticed folks had their arms folded on their snack and drink tables or Bob Dylan observing that his fans "were eating cheese" at their tables in the Civic Arena, Lance has additional gossip dished by Tinsy Labrie, the former head of PR for the Pittsburgh Symphony. The book is published by History Press and available now with contributions from Chirs Fletcher former topper at Pittsburgh Magazine and the Association of Gentlemen of Pittsburgh Journalists.  Lance Jones recently retired from his job as Account Representative at WQED having spent years in Pittsburgh in various management roles for Live Nation (and its predecessors) including general manager of Star Lake Amphitheater.

Lance Jones - "Stories from the Igloo"

Emmy Award winning producer and journalist Beth Dolinar and Jim Cunningham preview her latest  WQED special "A Season to Remember: The Baseball Boys of Mon City" airing Thursday October 21 at 8pm and Monday October 25 at 7:30pm. It was 1952 when the team from Monongehela made it to the final game of the Little League series. There is tragedy, redemption, summer baseball atmosphere, life lessons and Beth throws a few pitches herself as captured by photographers Raul Ruggeri and Dave Forstate.  Along with her productions at WQED, Beth Dolinar is known widely for her work at WTAE and you can read her blog in the Washington Pa Observer Reporter. 

Beth Dolinar - "A Season to Remember"

Afa Dworkin is the President and Artistic Director of Sphinx Virtuosi arriving in Pittsburgh for Chamber Music Pittsburgh on October 11th at Carnegie Music Hall. The group has worked boldly for inclusion of African Americans and Lantinx musicians over the past 25 years. Their programs are innovative and mind expanding. Afa speaks with Jim Cunningham about the Tracing Visions program and the work that remains to be done.

Afa Dworkin - Sphinx Virtuosi

WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with River City Brass Artistic and General Director James Gourlay about their upcoming 40th Season of concerts.  After 18 months, the Brass returns to in person concerts.  James talks about their upcoming season and much more.  

James Gourlay - 40th Anniversary Season of the River City Brass

Cellist Inbal Segev is commissioning and recording 20 chamber music works to capture all that happened in the year 2020. The recordings are being released in four volumes, and in this conversation with Katie Brill she describes the five works on Volume 2:   1. Viet Cuong: Room to Move for cello octet 2. Avner Dorman: Elegy for the Victims of Indifference for cello and accordion 3. Vijay Iyer: The Window for cello and piano 4. Christopher Cerrone: The Pleasure at Being the Cause for cello and piano 5. Angélica Negrón: Ruta Panorámica for cello, bandoneón and electronics

Cellist Inbal Segev Interview - Volume 2

Dave Rankin is the organizer of the concert series at Central Prebyterian Church in Tarentum Pa. He speaks with Jim Cunningham about the return of the 6 program series after the year and a half break for the pandemic. Todo Tango features the Academy Chamber Ensemble led by Warren Davidson, violin at 7pm on October 10. The concerts are free with a goodwill offering plate near the entrance. Dave explains how the pandemic affected the community and the church, with some history of the historic structure, it's organ and stained glass windows as well as the work being done to help Tarentum grow and flourish.

Dave Rankin - Central Presbyterian Church of Tarentum

Insights and anecdotes from musicians, dancers, artists, actors and directors, as well as audience response.

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