WFMT: Introductions

Oak Park and River Forest HS Symphony Orchestra

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:00:21 -0500

Today on Introductions, we featured the Oak Park and River Forest High School Symphony Orchestra (with the Wind Ensemble in the Rhapsody in Blue). The ensembles was recently invited to perform at the 2010 Illinois Music Educator's Association All-State Festival this coming January! Music by Gershwin, Shostakovich and Wieniawski.

Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 4 Jul 2009 17:52:11 -0500

A tribute to Lincoln Portrait: Music by Henry Fillmore, Verdi, Copland and more.

New Trier High School Chamber Orchestra

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:45:19 -0500

Beethoven's 7th Symphony performed by the NTHS Chamber Orchestra...and the Brahms Hungarian Dance No. 6 performed by their Concert Orchestra.

Evanston Township High School Symphony Orchestra

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:41:56 -0500

Music by Barber, Mozart, Haydn and Rachmaninoff.

Intro Weekly Clip: I Got Plenty of Nothin'

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 6 Jun 2009 12:38:04 -0500

Performed by 18 year old Julian Cook, recently named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts and set to meet President Obama in the White House in June.

Jones College Prep HS Concert Choir

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 6 Jun 2009 12:36:44 -0500

Opera scenes by Gershwin, Mozart, Verdi, Gilbert and Sullivan and more.

Lake Zurich High School Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 30 May 2009 11:02:42 -0500

Traditional and modern choral music and music for band by Clifton Williams.

Intro Weekly Clip: Piano Sextet in D minor by 18 year old Patrick Kennedy

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 23 May 2009 15:07:05 -0500

Performed by Leslie Chan, Jon Sullivan, Gina Lee, Gina Chung, and Tom Oakes with the composer, Patrick Kennedy

18 year old pianist and composer Patrick Kennedy

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 23 May 2009 15:06:14 -0500

Original compositions and music by Bach, Brahms, Beethoven and Barber

Intro Weekly Clip: Carmen Fantasy by Franz Waxman (based on music by Bizet)

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:49:49 -0500

16 year old violinist in the Carmen Fantasy by Franz Waxman (based on music by Bizet)

16 year old violinist Vincent Meklis

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 9 May 2009 15:48:08 -0500

16 year old violinist Vincent Meklis in Walton's violin concerto and Waxman's Carmen Fantasy (based on music by Bizet)

Intro Weekly Clip: Waltz from Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 2 May 2009 15:23:13 -0500

The Music Institute of Chicago Academy Chamber Orchestra in the Waltz from Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings

Music Institute of Chicago Academy Chamber Orchestra

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 2 May 2009 15:20:38 -0500

Top students from the Music Institute of Chicago perform Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings and Bartok's Divertimento.

Intro Weekly Clip: Grieg's Butterfly

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:37:31 -0500

17 year old pianist Daniel Brottman of Fremd High School in Palatine, IL performs Grieg's Butterfly.

Pianist Daniel Brottman, 17

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:31:16 -0500

17 year old pianist Daniel Brottman of Fremd High School in Palatine, IL performs Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Grieg and one of his own compositions.

Intro Weekly Clip: Chopin's Ballade no. 3, op 47 in Ab major

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:39:04 -0500

18 year old pianist Tomasz Robak performs Chopin's Ballade no. 3 op. 47 in Ab major. No talking, just music.

18 year old pianist Tomasz Robak performs Bach, Beethoven and Chopin

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:36:07 -0500

18 year old pianist Tomasz Robak performs Bach, Beethoven and Chopin on Introductions on 98.7WFMT-FM in Chicago.

Intro Weekly Clip: Slava! by Leonard Bernstein

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:09:55 -0500

Introductions Clip of the Week: The Merit School of Music Wind Ensemble in Slava! by Leonard Bernstein

Merit School of Music Wind Ensemble

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:07:42 -0500

Introductions' 1 year anniversary! Live from the Merit School of Music's Ann and Howard Gottlieb Hall in Chicago's West Loop. Music by Percy Grainger, Clifton Williams and Leonard Bernstein.

Intro Weekly Clip: Saresateana

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:50:21 -0500

Introductions Clip of the Week: 15 year old violist Leah Ferguson in the Saresateana by Efrem Zimbalist, transcribed by famous violist William Primrose

Leah Ferguson, 15, Viola

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:00:42 -0500

15 year old Leah Ferguson of New Trier High School performs in a Mozart Trio, part of the Bach 2nd Suite, a Brahms Sonata and the Saresateana transcribed by William Primrose.

Intro Weekly Clip: Liszt's "Mazeppa"

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:30:47 -0500

Introductions Clip of the Week: 17 year old pianist Sean Yeh in Franz Liszt's Transcendental Etude #4, "Mazeppa"

Sean Yeh, 17, Piano

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:28:01 -0500

Sean performed Franz Liszt's incredibly challenging "Mazzepa" Etude (the Transcendental #4) and the complete Beethoven's "Appassionata" Sonata.

2008 CSO Youth Audition Finalists

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:11:40 -0500

Every year, high school students from the Chicago area audition for a chance to perform with the CSO. In anticipation of this year's auditions featuring piano, we feature some finalists from the 2008 auditions when stringed instruments were featured.

Christine Murphy, 14, Flute

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 7 Mar 2009 11:00:59 -0600

On this program we heard 14 year old flutist Christine Murphy perform an incredibly difficult movement of the Ibert Concerto for Flute, a Tango by Argentine composer Astor Piazzola, and a more modern work by Chicago composer Robert Muczynski.

Stars of the Music Institute of Chicago

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Wed, 4 Mar 2009 10:42:12 -0600

We heard 5 incredible teenage musicians just before they departed on an East coast tour to perform in Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center! Live from the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston, Illinois. Music by Waxman, Rachmaninoff, Paganini and Balakirev.

Percussion Scholarship Group

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:07:48 -0600

The incredible Percussion Scholarship Group program of the Institute for Learning, Access and Training at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

High School Composers

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0600

Compositions by high school students who participated in Accessible Contemporary Music's summer composition workshops.

IMEA 9 Music Festival

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:00:23 -0600

Highlights from the Illinois Music Educators Association District 9 Music Festival featuring students from Chicago's Western Suburbs. Band, chorus and orchestra.

Gallia Kastner, 11, violin

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 3 Jan 2009 11:00:00 -0600

Gallia Kastner performs Ravel, Bach and Mozart.

DeKalb High School Jazz Ensemble

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:35:53 -0600

Audio after the jump! High School Jazz Ensemble, one of 15 national finalists sent to New York to compete in Jazz at Lincoln Center's annual "Essentially Ellington" Competition.

Susie Koh, 14, violin

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:03:10 -0600

14 year-old violinist Susie Koh joined us in the studios of Flashpoint Academy to perform an eclectic program ranging from Tango to gypsy-inspired music!

Matthew Lipman, viola, 16 and Clayton Penrose-Whitmore, violin, 15

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:59:07 -0600

Music by Brahms and John Williams, plus the first string duet on Introductions! Check out our website to see youtube videos discussed on the show.

IMEA 7

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 6 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0600

Highlights from the Illinois Music Educators Association District 7 Music Festival. Music for orchestra, band and choir.

Lauren Tu, piano, 13

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:40:39 -0600

Works by Prokofiev, Mozart, Chopin and Liszt by this amazing middle school pianist who goes to school in Northfield, IL.

Vernon Hills High School Symphony Orchestra

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:11:07 -0600

Works by Mussorgsky, Sibelius and others. Conducted by Frank Lestina and Fran Fadda.

Fremd HS Symphony Orchestra

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:40:46 -0500

The William Fremd High School Symphony Orchestra, led by Marla Caballero, performs part of the Grieg Piano Concerto in A-Minor, Chaminade's Concertino for Flute and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

Ben Lash, 17, cello

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 4 Oct 2008 20:02:57 -0500

17 year old Ben Lash of Evanston High School (and a student at the Music Institute of Chicago Academy for gifted pre-college musicians) gave a terrific performance today. Last on his program was a new work composed in 1999, which I especially recommend! Ben was joined on piano for several pieces by Shirley Trissell.

Kate Liu, 14, violin

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:43:29 -0500

14 year old pianist Kate Liu, a freshman at New Trier High School in Winnetka and a student at the Music Institute of Chicago Academy, performs Haydn, Verdi, Ravel and Scriabin.

Julia Belsky, mezzo-soprano and Linda Zhao, piano

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 6 Sep 2008 12:28:06 -0500

We welcomed to the program 16 year old mezzo-soprano Julia Belsky of Highland Park and 15 year old piano Linda Zhao of Hyde Park. Live from Flashpoint: The Academy of Media Arts and Sciences, LLC in downtown Chicago.

John Hersey High School Symphonic Band, Arlington Heights, IL

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:48:17 -0500

The Hersey HS Symphonic Band in works by Rossini, Michael Daugherty, Frank Tichelli and John Philip Sousa. The band performed at the Midwest Clinic in 2007 and won top triple A honors at the Illinois Superstate Band Festival in 2008.

Laura Park, violin

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:37:59 -0500

Laura Park is a Freshman at Fremd High School in Palatine, IL and studies violin at the Music Institute of Chicago. She performs Prokofiev, Bach and Sarasate on this episode of Introductions.

Organ Show

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 9 Aug 2008 11:52:07 -0500

18 year old John Kearin of Lake Forest and 15 year old Adam Gruber of Arlington Heights perform the Skinner pipe organ in Nichols Concert Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston, IL on Introductions.

Andrew Tung, Piano

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 2 Aug 2008 14:23:19 -0500

14-year-old pianist Andrew Tung, a student at the Music Institute of Chicago and an incoming freshman at Vernon Hills High School. Andrew has won numerous prizes and competitions including the top prize in the recent 2008 Union League Competition here in Chicago. We heard him perform music by Beethoven, Chopin, Prokofiev and others.

Matthew Wright, Flute

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:04:27 -0500

17 year old flutist Matthew Wright joined us in the studio this past Saturday, performing music by Fauré and Bizet, among others. Matthew graduated from high school in Gurnee a year early to attend Juilliard this fall and last year won the CSO Youth Auditions (and performed with the CSO in February!).

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (Part 2/2)

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:19:23 -0500

The CYSO in Jean Sibelius's Finlandia followed by Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (orchestrated by Maurice Ravel).

Brandon Eason & Katherine Hillary Jones, vocal; Brittney Walker, Bassoon

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:23:39 -0500

Two recent winners of the spring 2008 competition of the Chicago Chapter of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), Brandon Eason and Katherine Hillary Jones with 18 year old Brittney Walker and 18 year old pianist/composer Michael Oldham

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (Part 1/2)

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 5 Jul 2008 14:41:08 -0500

The CYSO performs the first movement of Tchaikovsy's Violin Concerto in D with Ha Young Kim and Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe: Suite No. 2 featuring the Chicago Children's Choir.

Julian Cook, bass/baritone and Catherine Zhou, piano

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:08:42 -0500

17 year old bass baritone Julian Cook, our first vocalist, joins 13 year old pianist Catherine Zhou in this first remote broadcast from Flashpoint: The Academy of Media Arts and Sciences, LLC.

Baroque Festival Orchestra

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 7 Jun 2008 14:11:14 -0500

The Baroque Festival Orchestra from the Hall School of Music in Wheaton, IL performs works by Haydn, Vivaldi and Britten. Conductor is Drostan Hall. This was the first remote broadcast of Introductions, from Barretts Home Theatre in Naperville, IL.

Ryan Meehan, violin

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Wed, 4 Jun 2008 16:15:05 -0500

18 year old violinist Ryan Meehan from New Trier High School in Winnetka performs Brahms, Bach, Fauré and Dvorak. Ryan moved here from Florida to study at the Music Institute of Chicago, and will attend the Colburn Conservatory in LA this fall. Accompanied on piano by Milana Pavchinskaya.

Honors Flute Quartet and Honors Saxophone Quartet from the Merit School of Music

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Wed, 4 Jun 2008 13:25:55 -0500

Two wind groups from the Merit School of Music in Chicago's West Loop: The Merit Flute and Sax Quartets. They perform works by Bozza and Gershwin, among others.

Glenbrook Symphony Orchestra

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:01:20 -0500

Audio from the first orchestra featured on Introductions, the Glenbrook Symphony Orchestra, made up of students from both Glenbrook North and South high schools in both Northbrook and Glenview, IL. They performed Strauss's Thunder and Lightning; the Hoffmeister Viola Concerto (Daniel Stone, viola); the Vanhall Bass Concerto (Ian Hallis, bass); and the first movement of Beethoven's 6th Symphony, the Pastorale.

Music Institute of Chicago

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:27:13 -0500

Students from the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston, IL. Featuring 10 year old violinist Elena Kawazu and the "Dies Irae" piano quartet.

Merit School of Music

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:14:47 -0500

Our fifth "Introductions," with top students from the Merit School of Music performing Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich and Sarasate.

Gabriel Cabezas, Cello

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:47:58 -0500

15 year old Gabriel Cabezas, who was this year's CSO Youth Auditions Winner, performs: Oblivion by A. Piazzolla; The first movement of the Sonata in C Major, G. 17 by A. Piazzolla; The first, second and fourth movements of Fünf Stücke in Volkston, Op. 102 by R. Schumann; The first and second movements of Shostakovich's Sonata in D Minor, Op. 40; and a stunning performance of Piatigorsky's Variations on a Paganini Theme.

Paul Juhn, piano & Emma Steele, violin

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:19:46 -0500

16 year old Pianist Paul Juhn performs Chopin's Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op.22 and 18 year old violinist Emma Steele performs Sonata No. 2 for violin and piano, by Beethoven and Caprice Basque by Sarasate.

Simply Brass & Trio Vita

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:52:52 -0500

Two groups from Midwest Young Artists in Highwood, IL, both quarter-finalists in this year's Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.

Molly May Manarchy, Classical Guitar

introductions@wfmt.com (David Polk) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:21:02 -0500

18 year old classical guitarist Molly May Manarchy performed live in the WFMT Levin Performance Studio. She performed selections from her album "Fuoco" and also played perhaps the first heavy metal guitar excerpt ever in WFMT history!