WRR 101.1 Focus on the Arts

"The goal is to keep bringing people out to share these timeless stories out under the stars," says Jenni Stewart, Interim Executive and Artistic Director of Shakespeare Dallas, presenting its 52nd season of Shakespeare in the Park this summer. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Stewart talks about their upcoming productions of "Twelfth Night" and "The Odyssey."

"I think the audience will be amazed by how well a children's chorus can perform a piece of music that's as complex as this one," says Ellie Lin, Artistic Director of the Dallas Symphony Children's Chorus, who is presenting the world premiere of a work written especially for the chorus. Hear more about the chorus and the new commission by Andrea Basevi in this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop.

"If you want to hear really great music that you know and love, this is a concert that you don’t want to miss,” says Steve Jobman, Artistic Director of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church's music ministry. The church's upcoming Americana concert featuring choir, orchestra, organ, and bell choir will be a mix of American classical, film scores, and popular music in an evening that starts with a cook...

Anyone who has ever driven down Swiss Avenue in East Dallas can understand why the annual Mother’s Day home tour is so popular; the street contains some of the most stunning historic homes of the city. In this feature, WRR's Amy Bishop speaks with Swiss Ave. Historic District’s resident historian Bob Cox, to hear more about this year's homes on display -including two that have been designated by D...

In this podcast with WRR's Kurt Rongey, DSO Maestro Fabio Luisi discusses the first time he cracked open the score to one of the Ring operas, what the audience can expect at the Ring of the Nibelungs performances, upcoming recording projects and the maestro’s personal highlights for the 2024-2025 DSO season.

"There's the physical aspect of resonating together - and then how that goes out and is perceived by an audience - it's kind of everything," says Colin Jacobsen, violinist with the Brooklyn Rider String Quartet. The group will close Dallas Chamber Music Society's 2023-24 season with a concert of old and new works at SMU's Caruth Auditorium and WRR's Amy Bishop caught up with Jacobsen to hear more...

Springtime in DFW brings countless art fairs and festivals, but Southlake's Art in the Square may be the only one that gives its proceeds back to charities. WRR's Amy Bishop recently visited with Kathy Talley, the chair of this year's festival, to learn what new attractions they'll be offering - and what sets them apart from the others.

“There’s a lot of data that backs the way arts and culture have positive impact on folks’ health and wellness," says Martine Philippe, Director of the City of Dallas' Office of Arts and Culture. April is Dallas Arts Month, founded to champion the arts and cultural sector of the city. This year, they've created a special page for sensory-friendly events in observance of Autism Acceptance Month and...

The Cliburn welcomes internationally acclaimed pianist/composer Gabriela Montero for two concerts in Fort Worth - April 25th at the Kimbell Art Museum and April 26th at Tulips FTW. In this podcast, WRR's Emilio Alvarez chats with Montero about the program, as well as her upcoming involvement in the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, which includes a special commission.

Every year since 1979, TACA has honored two individuals for their outstanding volunteer leadership and contributions to the arts in North Texas with the TACA Silver Cup Award. Past recipients have included Mrs. Eugene McDermott, Stanley Marcus, Bill Winspear, Raymond Nasher, Nancy Nasher, Gene Jones, and numerous others. This year, Sharon Young and Steve Penrose are the recipients. They spoke with...

Alessandra Comini is an art historian, curator, professor, and author based in Dallas, who started writing art and music mystery novels at the age of 77. To celebrate her 90th birthday, St. Matthew's Cathedral Arts in Dallas is performing a concert featuring music associated with Comini's books, including Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, and more. Comini and St. Matthew's Artistic Director of Secular...

“This is the one show where I actually have the worst seat in the house, because my back is to everything that’s actually happening," says Enrico Lopez-Yanez, Principal Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Presents Series. He'll be leading the live orchestra in a performance with the spellbinding acrobatics of Troupe Vertigo in three concerts - one of which marks their second-annual Young Professional...

You may also know the Greater Dallas Choral Society (GDCS) by its previous name – The Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas. A couple of years ago, the artistic staff of CCGD and most of the singers reorganized under the new name, but are continuing the 25-year legacy of CCGD. WRR's Amy Bishop visited with Kimberley Ahrens, GDCS's Artistic Director and Conductor, to hear more about what's on the hor...

Kristin Chenoweth returns to the Winspear Opera House in Dallas, which she inaugurated when it originally opened. She took some time to talk to WRR's Kurt Rongey about what to expect at her upcoming Dallas concert, what it was like to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House, and about her continuing efforts to promote music education. She also reflects on her steps to stardom, starting as a youngs...

“It’s very whimsical, it’s very engaging, and it’s a blend of poems of motivational messages, and music – all of that put together," says Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Music Director and Conductor of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, describing "Wild Symphony" by NY Times bestselling author Dan Brown. The group will present the work in a kid-friendly concert on April 7, 2024, narrated by WRR's Amy Bishop....

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.

"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 in Dallas to be this year's recipient, coinciding...

“I’m primarily known for aggressing upon inanimate objects," says Stewart Copeland, drummer and founding member of the rock band The Police. What some may not know is that he's also an accomplished composer, whose "Police Deranged for Orchestra" will be performed by the SMU Meadows Orchestra at a benefit concert in Dallas. It's all a part of Copeland's artistic residency with the school this sprin...

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 Jani. She also shares some reminiscences about working with Seiji Oza...

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.

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

"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 what to expect in this year's concert... which...

“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 Coppell Arts Center, Deutsch spoke with WRR's Amy Bishop about her mission to reach...

"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 Focus on the Arts with WRR's Amy Bishop.

“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 shares his passion for passing his love for the genre...