Toledo SymphonyLAB™

By WGTE Public MediaBusiness

Toledo SymphonyLAB™ episodes

March 22, 2023 Puccini Forever!
It's opera enthusiast time, as we welcome tenor Zach Borichevsky by phone to talk about his upcoming Puccini extravaganza at Rosary Cathedral with the TSO. We also take the opportunity to get to know Zach and his Toledo history, plus we nerd out on great tenors in our "drop-the-needle-and-name-that-tenor" quiz. What makes a singer great? Listen and find out!
46 min
March 15, 2023 Take the "A" Train
It's a one-on-one between TSO Music Director Alain Trudel and WGTE's Brad Cresswell, as they preview the Toledo Jazz Orchestra's concert on March 23rd. The concert throws a spotlight on Jazz at Lincoln Center, with charts from Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, including some of their most popular songs. We also dig into Alain's dual life as classical conductor and jazz trombonist - and how the two complement each other. And even though it isn't really fair with just one contestant, we do have a quiz: Who Wrote It? Ellington, Strayhorn, both, or neither? Come find out!
34 min
March 08, 2023 Music in our Schools
We celebrate Music in our Schools month with an overview of educational activities from the Toledo Symphony, and get to know the TSO's latest addition: Community Engagement Coordinator Ellie Lee. Joining in the discussion is the TSO's Vice President (complete with fanfare) of Education & Community Engagement, Rachel Schultz. So you think you're familiar with great educators in history? Find out in our quiz of the day!
35 min
March 01, 2023 Classical Women
Get to know mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen, who solos with the Toledo Symphony in songs by Alma Mahler. We hear Nina's story (that's pronounced NIGH-na by the way), and we learn about her activism and work in creating the Asian Opera Alliance, which advocates for greater representation of Asian voices both on the stage and behind the curtain. And later on, test your knowledge of women pioneers throughout history in our "Female Firsts" quiz!
39 min
February 22, 2023 Flying Dancers
Classical and Hip-Hop collide in this episode, which features special guest Jorge Casco, Executive Director of the Fly Dance Company. Fly Dance joins the Toledo Symphony for one performance only, combining the visceral energy of street dance with the most popular tunes from the classical repertoire. Jorge provides a behind-the-scenes look at how the Fly Dance Company does this, and how they pique the interest of young people in a whole new world that is at once familiar and yet unknown to them. And don't forget to join our panelists as they match wits in our quiz of the day, covering classical, hip-hop, and street dance!
45 min
February 15, 2023 Midori in Toledo
As the excitement builds for superstar violinist Midori with the Toledo Symphony, we offer a one-on-one with TSO Music Director Alain Trudel who gives expert insight into the program, including the piece that Midori brings to the Peristyle: the beloved Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. Listen in, learn all about the music on the concert — and even test your Midori I.Q. with our quiz of the day (spoiler: Alain wins!).
57 min
February 08, 2023 Won't You Be Our Valentine?
It's our Valentine's Day special, SymphonyLAB style! Join us for sweet radio bon-bons and other auditory treats as we swap stories and learn about the many facets of love in our Jeopardy-themed quiz of the day. And as our gift to you, we present a special radio play – but with a twist! For the first time in TSLAB history, we turn to artificial intelligence to script our play: the new ChatGPT from Open AI. In the words of our simulated playwright, "Be sure to get your Love-a-Tron 9000 today!"
44 min
February 01, 2023 Francophiles, Unite!
We take a look at the Toledo Symphony's all-French program, with special guest Mélisande McNabney, who solos in Francis Poulenc's harpsichord concerto at the Peristyle. Also joining us a bit later in the program is the Grammy award-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta, who provides insight into the music on the concert, which she leads with the TSO. And don't forget our quiz of the day as we test our panelists' knowledge of French composer facts! Photo of Mélisande McNabney by Matthew Perrin Photography
49 min
January 25, 2023 The Juliet Letters
In this episode, we welcome soprano and arts administrator Mickey Emch back to the fold. Mickey is the vocal soloist for Elvis Costello's classical-esque take on one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, The Juliet Letters. We'll examine the music from this concert, including Beethoven's first string quartet and music for brass trio by Canadian composer Elizabeth Raum (who is also a friend and colleague of TSO Music Director Alain Trudel). And taking our cue from Beethoven's "first" in the quartet genre, we focus our quiz on various composer's very first published works.
55 min
January 18, 2023 Mary Poppins!
We gear up for one of the most exciting family-friendly events of the season: Mary Poppins in Concert with the Toledo Symphony! Guest Conductor Daniel Meyer provides a glimpse behind the curtain of what it takes to bring this Disney film classic to life on the stage of the Stranahan Theater. We'll get to know Daniel inside and out, and of course, we'll test our Mary Poppins I.Q. with the quiz of the day. Tune in for a jolly 'oliday of a show!
38 min

About Toledo SymphonyLAB™

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Touchstone Award Winner - Best Single Radio Report 2022, Best Radio Show 2020, Best Radio Show 2019, Best Broadcast Radio 2018 Toledo SymphonyLAB™ is an award-winning radio podcast series from WGTE…