Toledo SymphonyLAB™

We welcome dynamic pianist/composer Stewart Goodyear back to Toledo to perform his own music: the Caribbean-inspired dance suite for piano and orchestra, Callaloo. Not only do we hear what went into the creation of this saucy dish, we get to know Stewart himself through personal stories and shared insights. We also talk about two other "dance" works on the program: John Adams' The Chairman Dances, and Sergei Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances. And in keeping with tradition, we have a trivia-filled quiz of the day, Guess the Rock. Is it Sergei Rachmaninoff (AKA "Rach"), Dwayne Johnson (AKA "The Rock"), or Elvis (AKA "The King of Rock...")? Listen in and find out!

We continue our 2023 festivities with a "getting-to-know-you episode" featuring two recent additions to the Toledo Symphony family: Emily McCready (Marketing Manager at Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts) and Georgi Dimitrov (Associate Principal Viola). Hear their stories, play some icebreaker games, and join us for a look both behind the curtain and in front of it from our special guests!

We ring in 2023 SymphonyLAB style with our predictions and resolutions — plus our favorite moments from the past year (and what we're looking forward to in 2023). And of course, it just wouldn't be a party without a quiz! Test your movie trivia knowledge with our Twixmas Movie Quote quiz! But most importantly, we wish all of you a Very Happy New Year!

In the midst of the Holidays, we find yet another reason to celebrate: Toledo SymphonyLAB's 200th episode! Our intrepid panel tests their TSLAB 101 as they take a walk down memory lane and talk about our favorite episodes from the past few years. Speaking of favorites, do you have a favorite special audio effect from the soundboard? Be sure to tune in and hear ours! *crowd cheer with applause*

It's A Swingin' Christmas as we welcome not one but two Scotts: Scott Lavender and Scott Potter, conductor and trumpeter/President respectively of the Toledo Jazz Orchestra. We hear the ensemble's backstory and open up the discussion with newly minted Artistic Director of the TJO, Alain Trudel. But wait, there's more... as we test our scottological IQ with our quiz of the day, "Great Scotts in History."

It's a full house as we celebrate the Toledo Ballet's 82nd annual Nutcracker! On the phone is the ballet's Artistic Director Eric Otto and in the studio are the Toledo Symphony's Music Director Alain Trudel - PLUS the TSO's Vanessa Gardner, Rachel Schultz and Natalie Frushour. Join us for a (mostly) made-up tag-team retelling of the Nutcracker story; insights into this newly choreographed, inclusive production, and of course, a Pop Up Plié Quiz!

It's Christmas at the Peristyle like none other, as we welcome singer and trombonist extraordinaire Aubrey Logan to the show. Fellow trombonist and conductor Alain Trudel is in-house for the panel, as we hear all about Aubrey's formidable talents. And we test our literary knowledge with a Christmas Quotes Gone Wrong quiz!

We preview and celebrate the annual Toledo Symphony performance of G.F. Handel's Messiah at Rosary Cathedral, alongside our customary TSLAB nod to Thanksgiving. Special guest Mickey Emch (who sings in Messiah) joins us for an extended dinner party, with plenty of music, fun, and quizzes – including a healthy dose of Handel and a dollop of Turkey trivia!

TSO Music Director Alain Trudel leads us into an in-depth exploration of The Great American Songbook, which is also the theme behind the Toledo Jazz Orchestra's debut concert as part of the TSO family (with Alain at the helm). We also touch on the upcoming concert with singing sensation Ledisi, who brings her Nina Simone tribute to the Peristyle. And, if you're a fan of Jazz and Big Band, you'll want to tune in for our quiz of the day!

It's all about the science of sound, as we welcome special guest Amanda Miller from Imagination Station. We'll talk about their partnership with the TSO, quiz our science knowledge, and try a crafting experiment in the studio - creating our own musical instruments.