Today's Interplay is a Conversation In Music with the dynamic and wonderfully unique conductor **Alexander Mickelthwate**, Music Director of the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra. Maestro Mickelthwate talks about his special programming, the musical life of his area, and his love for Bruckner in particular. Join us for his stimulating and thought provoking insights!

Find out more at www.michaelshapiro.com

Alexander's page: https://www.okcphil.org/about-us/history/alexander-mickelthwate/

This week’s Interplay with composer **Michael Schelle** is a joyous experience. There is such energy and strength in everything Michael does as a composer and teacher. His wit is unmistakable coupled with a sense of caring and individualism unique in its power. Rejoice in this wonderful Conversation in Music!

Find out more at www.michaelshapiro.com

Michael's page: https://www.butler.edu/directory/user/mschelle

This weekend's INTERPLAY is a fascinating Conversation In Music with **Gerard Schwarz**. Maestro Schwarz's musicianship is a miracle. His breath of experience and the revelations of his work as a conductor, composer, and arranger are unique and truly astonishing. He is quite simply a world treasure.

Find out more at www.michaelshapiro.com

Gerard's website: www.gerardschwarz.com

Interplay this week, a Conversation in Music, was with violinist **Gil Shaham** and composer **Scott Wheeler**. What could be better than a composer talking about his work with a great musician, and the musician talking about the work the great composer gifted to him. And it's called *The Singing Turk*, which has to be one of the best titles one has ever heard! I so enjoyed this trio talk of wit, grace, and Baroque homage and am sure you will also.

Find out more at www.michaelshapiro.com

Gil's website: www.gilshaham.com

Scott's website: www.scottwheeler.org

This week on Interplay, conductor **Giancarlo Guerrero** joins me in a Conversation In Music about his pathfinding discoveries in new American music and the influence of Serge Koussevitzky on that quest. As music director of the great Nashville Symphony and guest at the great orchestras of the world, Maestro Guerrero's elan and joyful spirit are irresistible and profound.

Find out more at www.michaelshapiro.com

Giancarlo's website: www.giancarlo-guerrero.com

On this week's INTERPLAY, Conversations in Music, Michael Shapiro talks to the extraordinary violinist **Chee-Yun**, whose wondrous and radiant playing has thrilled audiences worldwide.

Find out more at www.michaelshapiro.com

Chee-Yun's website: www.chee-yun.net

This week's Interplay is a conversation with the extraordinary conductor, **Deborah Simpkin King**, music director of Ember, a dynamic choral group in the metropolitan area that champions new music. Composers and audience just love Maestra King's musicianship which is full of life and deeply profound. In addition to her conducting, she is a widely read writer on music and promoter of additional performances of new choral work in her Project Encore series. Deborah enriches everything she touches with her wishes for joy and peace.

Find out more at www.michaelshapiro.com

Deborah's website: www.deborahsking.com

This week's INTERPLAY is with the joyously profound **Daron Hagen**, composer, director, writer, producer, teacher, etc. infinitum. A delight in every way, Daron brings an expertise and joie de vivre to everything he touches. Enjoy this wonderful Conversation In Music and Daron's unique thoughts on music and Orson Welles!

Find out more at www.michaelshapiro.com

Daron's website: www.daronhagen.com

This weekend's INTERPLAY is with one of my favorite people, composer **Jennifer Higdon**. Jennifer is that rare artist, whose compositions reflect the very essence of her wondrous intellect, humanity, and warmth. I just loved doing this Conversation In Music and hope you will enjoy watching it as much as I had in talking about her remarkable music making!

Find out more at www.michaelshapiro.com

Jennifer's website: www.jenniferhigdon.com

Conductor **Michael Christie** is an American treasure. Recently named music director of the New West Symphony, Maestro Christie has always been equally at home in opera and symphony. His championing of new American works is a mark of his dedication to the expansion and enriching of his art. With an unusual command and interest in bringing classical music to more people, he has an unmistakable warmth and connection.

Find out more at www.michaelshapiro.com

Michael's website: www.michaelchristieonline.com