The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director James Blachly joins Jim Cunningham to discuss their concert at the Johnstown airport June 26 with music made famous by Jefferson Airplane, Gonna Fly Now from the film Rocky, music from Top Gun and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony along with a word about upcoming events for the Fourth of July and the fall season along with thoughts about the visit by organist Paul Jacobs to play the Saint Saens Organ symphony in the Spring season.

On this episode, we sat down with Katya Janpoladyan and Maureen Conlon Gutiérrez co-directors of the Pittsburgh Perspectives Festival. Through this festival, Katya and Maureen seek to bring music created by female composers and composers of color to the forefront, allowing people access to a far more diversified look at the genre than is typically experienced. The driving vision behind the festival, what attendees can expect, and the future of classical music are all topics discussed. The festival will begin Tuesday, June 21st and run through Sunday, June 26th.

Walter Morales of the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra stopped by WQED-FM to talk about their Bach, Beethoven and Brunch performance on Sunday June 19th from 10:30am until noon at Mellon Park in Shadyside. Walter talks about the program, playing outside, and the concerts they're giving this summer.

Kristen Linfante, Executive Director of Chamber Music Pittsburgh, discusses the 60th anniversary celebration with the Dover Quartet June 26 playing Amy Beach and Beethoven in a new venue This Is Red with a focus on the young people who are helped by Chamber Music Pittsburgh enjoying use of an instrument lending library and instruction from Hope Academy. Also cause for happiness is a move to a new concert hall, the PNC Theater at Point Park University downtown, three Just Summer concerts, Pittsburgh Performs and much more. The tickets for the gala are somewhat pricey given that so many Chamber Music Pittsburgh events are free or very inexpensive but the 60th anniversary is once in a lifetime and you are helping the next generation become turned on to the power of music.  Kristen tells Jim Cunningham she hopes you will stretch the budget and join her June 26.

Sarah Aziz, Director of the Three Rivers Arts Festival, speaks with WQED-FM intern Flora Kelly about this year's arts festival, and what she loves most about the work that she does. The Three Rivers Arts Festival is taking place from Friday, June 3rd, through Sunday, June 12th in the cultural district of downtown Pittsburgh.

James Gourlay, Music Director and CEO of the River City Brass, joins Flora Kelly to discuss the upcoming performance by the River City Brass at Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch on Sunday, June 12th 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Further plans for the year with the band, as well as Mr. Gourlay's work with Duquesne University are also discussed.

Wayne Brinda of Prime Stage Theatre, and formerly Pittsburgh Playhouse Jr. sits down with John Robbins, WQED Intern, to discuss their new program, Prime Stage Sprouts. The new program opens with a production of The Amazing Lemonade Girl. This production is based on the real story of Alexandra Scott. She suffered from a rare disease but decided to not let that bring her down and she was able to help many kids just like her. The running of this show is June 16th-19th at the New Hazlett Theater.

Colin Aikins , tenor, presents his Senior Recital June 8 at 7pm in a free concert at Carnegie Hall in Oakland which he previews with Jim Cunningham. Colin is on to Juilliard in New York next year after completing his degree at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He has invited soprano Sarah Fleiss to sing Monteverdi with him. She is also a singer from the vocal department at Curtis and also studies with Julia Faulkner of Chicago Lyric Opera.. Mezzo Soprano Alexandria Zallo will join in the program and the accompanist is Djordje Nesic pianist. Colin is a Central Catholic graduate who has won fans in western Pennsylvania including soprano Marianne Cornetti. He has performed at the Aspen Music Festival and in Europe at Salzburg, at Chautauqua, Las Vegas and other cities along the  way winning multiple awards at prestigious competitions..The plan for the program is operatic dazzlers, favorite Italian songs by Tosti and Cole Porter at the end of the evening.

Wayne Brinda of Prime Stage Theatre, and formerly Pittsburgh Playhouse Jr. sits down with John Robbins, WQED Intern, to discuss their new program, Prime Stage Sprouts. The new program opens with a production of The Amazing Lemonade Girl. This production is based on the real story of Alexandra Scott. She suffered from a rare disease but decided to not let that bring her down and she was able to help many kids just like her. The running of this show is June 16th-19th at the New Hazlett Theater.

More information on Prime Stage Sprouts

Colin Aikins , tenor, presents his Senior Recital June 8 at 7pm in a free concert at Carnegie Hall in Oakland which he previews with Jim Cunningham. Colin is on to Juilliard in New York next year after completing his degree at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He has invited soprano Sarah Fleiss to sing Monteverdi with him. She is also a singer from the vocal department at Curtis and also studies with Julia Faulkner of Chicago Lyric Opera.. Mezzo Soprano Alexandria Zallo will join in the program and the accompanist is Djordje Nesic pianist. Colin is a Central Catholic graduate who has won fans in western Pennsylvania including soprano Marianne Cornetti. He has performed at the Aspen Music Festival and in Europe at Salzburg, at Chautauqua, Las Vegas and other cities along the way winning multiple awards at prestigious competitions..The plan for the program is operatic dazzlers, favorite Italian songs by Tosti and Cole Porter at the end of the evening.