Voice of the Arts

It's the story of a brief, passionate, life-changing love affair, wrapped up in what might be the greatest romance of all: our eternal human longing for art and beauty. WQED-FM's Anna Singer hosts a conversation with author Barbara Kingsolver about her book "Partita" on Thursday October 29th, 7pm at Carnegie Music Hall, part of Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures. Anna spoke with it's Executive Director, Sony Ton-Aime about that event, and touches on some of the other upcoming authors in the Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures season. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and...

The Pittsburgh Pride Choir returns for their 2026-2027 season! Artistic Director Kym Scott and Marketing Chair Endy Fierro speak with Anna Singer about the programs.

Endi provides a history of the choir and how it has continued to grow over the years. Kym and Endi share their favorites on the holiday program, including a PPC tradition, a raucous rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Kym also details her journey to the Pride Choir and her position as Director of Choral Activities at West Virginia University. In April 2027, the choir will perform a cabaret concert, followed by...

The Edgewood Symphony Orchestra kicks off it's season on Saturday October 24th, 7pm with three captivating masterpieces - Nancy Galbraith’s exciting A Festive Violet Pulse, Borodin’s Second Symphony, and Roy Sonne returns to perform Mendelssohn’s sparkling Violin Concerto. Music Director Walter Morales chatted with WQED-FM's Anna Singer about the program that takes place at First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer t...

The Bach Choir opens their season with a Halloween concert titled "The Creation: When Man Plays God." Artistic Director/Conductor Thomas Douglas speaks with Anna Singer about the program.

The choir will accompany a silent version of the 1931 film “Frankenstein” featuring Boris Karloff, with live an original R&B-inspired soundtrack. Thomas created the music, and talks about being inspired by 1970s R&B and contemporary artists like Thundercat. He also discusses the challenge of accompanying a film, letting the screen dictate the musicians.

You can hear the Bach Choir sing along to "Frankenstein" this Saturday, Octo...

WQED continues its Dead Air celebrations with composer and arranger Christian Kriegeskotte! Christian speaks with Jim Cunningham about his broad career and upcoming event, "George A. Romero's 'A Night at the Symphony.'"

Christian studied bagpipes and composition at Carnegie Mellon University and interned here at WQED. He tells Jim about his work with John Williams as a copyist on Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds. Christian remembers those opportunities well, as well as his time at the Pittsburgh Symphony, working with hip-hop artist FRZY, and with New York Pops...

Chatham Baroque and Renaissance and Baroque present "The Wanderer" - October 25, 2026, 2:30pm at Shadyside Presbyterian Church. "The Wanderer" explores journeys of exile, pilgrimage, and fate through vivid musical narratives drawn from Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon elegies of loss. Interwoven with instrumental works rooted in early melodic traditions, this evocative program brings to life a world of perilous travel, memory, and longing. Performed by the renowned medieval ensemble Sequentia, led by Benjamin Bagby and Norbert Rodenkirchen. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Benjamin about the concert. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture...

The North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band opens its season this Sunday, October 25th at 3:00pm, with "Goodnight Moon." Conductor/Music Director Dr. R. Tad Greig speaks with Jim Cunningham about the program.

The program opens with University of Michigan Director of Bands Scott Boerma's "Zoom," written in 2021 about virtual meetings during the pandemic. The band will play songs of the season, featuring an autumn theme and pagan celebrations. Also on the program are Sousa Eric Whitacre, with a performance from special guest soprano Gail Mosites. The concert will close with selections from The Music Man.

The...

WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham sits down for an extensive interview with broadcast legend Bill Hillgrove. Mr. Hillgrove got his start in the broadcast industry by volunteering at WQED and working on programs like JazzBeat. He remembers his time at WQED fondly, meeting folks like Mister Rogers, Joe Negri, Jonny Costa and many more. He also looks back at his time as the Steeler play by play announcer; working with Myron Cope; his love of the University of Pittsburgh; and his love of all types of music, including opera. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source...

WQED continues its Dead Air celebrations with director and composer John Harrison! John speaks with Jim Cunningham about his celebrated horror film career and collaborations with George Romero.

John is WQED family, having hosted the WQED-FM morning show (Sleeper's Awake, at the time). He met George Romero through a newspaper article and Romero's work on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. John talks about the success of Night of the Living Dead, assistant directing and scoring Creep Show and other projects, and why people love the zombie genre. He also shares George Romero's duels with Martin Scorsese over the film...

The Demaskus Theatre Collective and the New Hazlett Theater present Othello of the End Zone - a modern reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic play. Actor Cynthia Dallas, artistic drector Melissa Cardello-Linton, and director Shaunda McDill spoke with Anna Singer about this Steel City tragedy featuring gender-swapped characters navigating the treacherous world of football. Performances will take place at the New Hazlett Theater from October 22nd-25th. More information and tickets are available at the New Hazlett Theater website. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're pa...

Pittsburgh born bassoon virtuoso Monica Ellis returns with colleagues from the Imani Winds for a Chamber Music Pittsburgh concert - Monday October 26th 7:30pm at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in downtown Pittsburgh. They spoke with Jim Cunningham about the program "RÉVERIE:  Dreams of Harlem and Paris" including Debussy and Ravel with three pieces by flutist and composer Valerie Coleman - "Portraits of Langston," "Matisseries," and "Cotton Club Juba," along with William Grant Still's "Summerland." Monica joins Valerie and clarinet Mariam Adam from Nashville where she teaches at Vanderbilt, to outline the special features of the concert an...

There are two more performances of Pittsburgh Opera's production of Verdi's "Rigoletto" - Friday October 16th at 7pm and Sunday October 18th at 2pm. Pittsburgh Opera Music Director Antony Walker stopped by the QED Morning Show with Jim Cunningham to talk about the production, as well as his work in Washington DC with the Washington Concert Opera, where he is Artistic Director. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you cl...

Proud Peacock Productions presents Offworld: A Space Adventure, a new play by Andy Hickly. Andy, who will also direct and act in the show, and producer/actor Brennan Bobish speak with Melissa Black about the play.

Offworld follows Zoey, a young woman who feels off-balance after moving to a new area. When she's invited by a new friend to game night, she's unexpectedly swept up in the imaginary world of the game. Andy talks about his inspiration, how they've staged the show, and his character, Lucas. Brennan discusses her role as Frankie and founding Proud Peacock Productions...

Music at Third at Third Presbyterian Church invites you on a journey through melody as we explore music from one of the finest flutists and flute composers of the present day! Join pianist Fumi Kuwajima and flutist Marielle Brown for “Wherever You Are”, as they perform selected pieces from the repertoire of American composer Gary Schocker. Third Presbyterian Church Music Director Lenny Young and flutist Marielle Brown joined WQED-FM's Anna Singer to talk about the concert, which takes place on Friday October 16th at 7:30pm. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and...

Marie Therese Carmack sings the role of Maddalena in Pittsburgh Opera's season opening production of Verdi's "Rigoletto." She joined WQED-FM's Anna Singer live to talk about the role and the opera. She talks about some of her previous roles; how much she enjoyed being a part of the Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist program; and some of her upcoming roles. Pittsburgh Opera presents "Rigoletto" Friday October 16th at 7pm and Sunday October 18th at 2pm at the Benedum Center. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're...

Pianist David Kaplan plays the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra on Saturday October 17th, 2026, 7:30pm at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center. He spoke with WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham about the piece and his friendship with JSO conductor James Blachly. He also talks about the music scene in LA where he is a teacher at UCLA; his new CD coming out titled "Quasi Una Fantasia;" and growing up in a musical family. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music...

Slippery Rock University's Early Childhood and Elementary Music Community Engagement Initiative has four upcoming free family events! Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich and students Keira Mayhue and Ian Fuechslin speak with Melissa Black about their programming.

Cassandra started the Community Engagement Initiative as a way to connect young children to music. There are two "Sing Move Play" events and two "Tuneful Tales" concerts, which both of which encourage kids to engage with music, movement, and storytelling. All four events take place at SRU's Swope Music Building. Ian and Keira talk about their involvement in the programming, from leading to...

The Pittsburgh Walk of Fame will induct its second round of stars on Tuesday, October 13th at 10:30am! Nancy Polinsky Johnson, founder and executive director, joined Jim Cunningham live on the QED Morning Show to talk about this year's group.

The Pittsburgh Walk of Fame is located on Smallman Street in the Strip District, between 18th and 19th streets. This year's starts include Martha Graham, H.J. Heinz, Henry Mancini, Shirley Jones, and more. Mario Lemieux will be in attendance to accept on his own behalf. Nancy, a longtime collaborator on QED Cooks, talks about why she...

Radiant Strings Quartet is hosting a Halfway to Halloween Concert on Wednesday October 14th at 7:00pm. Founder & music director Nicole Lennartz and singer & living historian Brady Collins speak with Anna Singer about the program.

On the program are spooky movie favorites from Nightmare Before Christmas and Ghost Busters, pop classics, bold metal & rock music, and classical horror tunes. Nicole talks about creating the concert's theme and event design. Brady will sing jazz & cabaret classics, including "I Am a Vamp" and "I Put a Spell On You." Guests can also enjoy mocktails, cocktails, and light bites during the...

Dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University, David Allen Wehr, stopped by the QED Morning Show to talk about the next "Brahms on the Bluff" concert taking place on Saturday October 10th at 3pm. The concert features several vocal selections along with the Clarinet Quintet in B minor and the Piano Quintet in F minor. David tells WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham what people can expect at the concert; why the concert is on Saturday rather than the usual Sunday performance; and details on upcoming "On the Bluff" concerts. David also plays live in our studio the Brahms...

The Frick Pittsburgh is gearing up for spooky season and their holiday programming! Director of Learning & Visitor Experience Kelsie Paul and Assistant Curator Lauryn Smith speak with Melissa Black about upcoming events and a sneak peek at their next exhibition.

Kelsie previews the many programs planned, including Spooky Spirits Walks, plant office hours, and a recap of the second season of HBO's The Gilded Age. For the holidays this year, programs will focus on Gilded Age holiday traditions, including the Home for the Holidays at Clayton tours, which start on November 20th. Lauryn previews Soul, Sound & Voice...

The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall will host a double album release concert for the Thoth Trio as part of their Studio Jazz Series. Music Hall Director Heidi Matthews and band member Ben Opie speak with Melissa Black about the concert.

The Thoth Trio consists of Ben Opie (reeds), Paul Thompson (bass), and David Throckmorton (drums). The concert celebrates the release of Three and In Escrow, 18 tracks recorded over two days. Ben discusses the recording process and the shared sound of these albums. Heidi talks about the success of the Studio Jazz Series and the collaborative...

Pittsburgh International Classic Theatre are one of the three theaters premiering Yussef El Guindi's new play, Refugee Rhapsody. PICT's Artistic Director Elizabeth Elias Huffman speaks with Anna Singer about the show.

Eliza explains her decision to premiere this play to start PICT's 30th anniversary, stemming from her long friendship with Yussef. Refugee Rhapsody follows a young Arab American couple, Sakinah and Fouad who become entangled with a wealthy socialite heiress. It's a play that examines relationships, the immigrant experience in America, and the desire to be seen for who you are. Yussuf will also be in attendance...

The Pittsburgh Savoyards open their 2026-2027 season with Gilbert and Sullivan's Yeomen of the Guard! Production Manager Lynette Garland and Stage Director Robert Hockenberry speak with Jim Cunningham about the show.

Yeomen of the Guard is one of the few Gilbert and Sullivan operetta with a sad ending, set in the Tower of London during the 16th century. Lynette talks about the production, its crew, and the orchestra, in which she'll play the violin. Rob summarizes the plot and explains the working relationship between W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.

You can see Yeomen of...

WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham joined Mendelssohn Choir Music Director Daniel Singer for a virtual pre-concert conversation ahead of their upcoming season opener, "In Time of War" on October 11, 2026. They discuss the music on the program - Arvo Part's "Da pacem Domine; Florence Price's "Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight," and Haydn's "Mass in Time of War." Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts sc...

Tuesday Musical Club presents a free celebratory concert for America’s 250th anniversary entitled America 250: E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One). Organizer/pianist Nanette Kaplan Solomon and conductor/baritone Franklin Mosley spoke with Anna Singer live on the QED Afternoon Show about the program.

TMC is partnering with the Afro American Music Institute, the Edgewood Symphony, Aria 412, and community choirs for this event. The program features a pre-concert lobby performance by the AAMI Jazz Youth Ensemble at 1:30pm. Nanette explains how this concert got its start with a collaboration with Violins of Hope. Franklin will be co...

Chatham Baroque opens their 35th season with Confluence: A Pittsburgh America 250 Concert. Anna Singer spoke with guest artist Chris Norman (flutes & pipes), soprano Pascale Beaudin, and Scott Pauley (guitars & theorbo) live on the QED Afternoon Show about the program.

Confluence is a celebration of America's 250th anniversary, with music from the era of the founding fathers. Chris will play four different instruments and explains wooden flute-making. Scott talks about how European traditions, including English, Irish, Scottish, and French folk tunes converged at the birth of our nation. Pascale also discusses the pieces she'll sing, including an aria...

WQED is excited to partner with the residents and curators of Trundle Manor, Mr Arm and Velda Von Minx, for our Halloween celebration, Dead Air! Mr Arm and Velda join Jim Cunningham to talk about the spooky festivities and their unusual home.

Dead Air is a month-long celebration of all things weird and eerie. Every Thursday in October, WQED will air local horror films and documentaries, as well as classic films like George Romero's Night of the Living Dead. You'll also hear creepy tunes on WQED-FM. Mr Arm and Velda talk about the oddities and curiosities viewable...

Carnegie Mellon Opera presents Benjamin Britten's chamber opera, The Turn of the Screw! Anna Singer speaks with director Matthew Haney, conductor Tyson Deaton, and the two Governesses, Alanna Burden and Sara Porjosh, about the show.

The opera features ghosts and strange hauntings, perfect as a lead-up to Halloween. Matt talks about his approach to this opera, focusing on making it "weird and fun." Tyson praises Britten's orchestrations and themes and discusses how to enhance the music for each individual performance. Matt and Tyson are working with a double cast for this production, and Alanna and Sara each...

Anne Fullenkamp, Senior Director of Creative Experiences at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, speaks with Anna Singer about their upcoming exhibit, It's a Beautiful Day to Be You.

The Children's Museum created It's a Beautiful Day to Be You in collaboration with Fred Rogers Productions, inspired by Mister Rogers, Daniel Tiger, and Donkey Hodie. Anne talks about their exciting plans for opening weekend on October 3rd & 4th, including character appearances and a real trolley ride. She says this exhibit is meant to inspire kids to learn, create, and collaborate through kindness and curiosity.

It's a...

The Takács Quartet will open the 2026-2027 Chamber Music Pittsburgh season on Monday, September 28th! Jim Cunningham speaks with violist Richard O'Neill and cellist Mihai Marica about the program.

The concert features Beethoven's String Quartet No. 6, Op. 18, Carlos Simon's Warmth from Other Suns, and concludes with Brahms's String Quartet No. 1, Op. 51. Richard and Mihai share their favorite moments in the program and talk about the history of the Takács Quartet, which recently celebrated its 50th year.

You can hear the Takács Quartet at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland on Monday, September 28th at...

Resonance Works opens their 14th season this Sunday, September 27 with Gilda Lyons’ An Anchor in Time. Conductor/producer Maria Sensi Sellner and Associate Producer Rob Frankenberry spoke with Anna Singer live on the QED Afternoon Show about the show.

Originally commissioned for Resonance Works’ 10th anniversary season, An Anchor in Time looks at where we’ve been and where we’re going. The first half of the program features the Festival Chorus and soloists for choral time-capsule, from Monteverdi to Pittsburgh musical legend Robert Page. The Resonance Chamber Orchestra rounds out the program with Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring S...

Prime Stage Theatre will host their 4th Annual Homewood Cemetery Walk this Saturday, September 26th! Prime Stage Publicity Manager Lawrence McCullough speaks with Anna Singer about the tour.

Tours will start at 12:00pm and occur every half hour, for a total of 7 walks. Along the way, guests will meet actors portraying historical Pittsburgh legends, including Charles “Teenie” Harris, David L. Clark, Catherine Heinz Mueller, and more. Lawrence talks about how these cemetery walks got started and previews the actors involved this year. Lawrence also wrote all of the monologues each actor will perform and tells Anna his appr...

Uncommon Productions' The Poisoner makes a stop on its fall tour at Alumni Theater Company this weekend! Producer Carina Chavda & actors Aaron Morton and Haskell King speak with Jim Cunningham about the play.

Inspired by the Flint water crisis of 2014, The Poisoner is an unraveling of the deception, abuse of power, and negligence of 2000’s Midwestern water politics. Carina explains the plays inception, drawn from playwright M.M. Haney's experience living in Michigan at the time. Aaron and Haskell talk about their characters, a journalist and water plant manager, respectively, who navigate personal and political struggles to ex...

Author Maxwell King has a new book out, Fire in the Night Sky, about the steel mill paintings of Aaron Gorson. He speaks with Jim Cunningham about the book and Gorson's contribution to Pittsburgh's steel history.

King, who has written biographies of Fred Rogers and John Cane, was not originally interested in Aaron Gorson. But as he started researching him, he realized the importance of Gorson's work in Pittsburgh's steel mill history. Gorson was commissioned to paint two murals at Rodef Shalom temple in Oakland and stayed in the city for its vibrant arts community. Here he...

Playbox Productions, for their second-ever production, present Sam Shepard's True West. Executive Producer/actor Marc Palombo and actor Braxton McCollum speak with Anna Singer about the young company, collaborative theater making, and playing brothers in the show.

Marc talks about starting Playbox as a collaborative space to create truthful, emotionally honest performances. Braxton and Marc's characters, Lee and Austin, reunite after five years while Austin works on a screenplay in their mother's house. It's a story about sibling rivalry and individual identity. Marc and Braxton also share their favorite scenes from the play.

True West...

This Sunday, September 20th marks the beginning of Academy Concerts' Opus: Impact season. Vocalist Sydney Kaczorowski, PSO cellist Adam Liu, and pianist Fabio Gentilli speak with Anna Singer about the program.

Mozart's Sonata for Piano and Violin in G major, K. 301 opens the concert, followed by Brahms's Sonata for Piano and Cello in F major, Op. 99 and Beethoven's Piano Trio in C minor Op. 1, No. 3. Adam talks about the intimacy of chamber music and performing with Fabio through the lens of friendship. Adam and Fabio will be joined by PSO violinist Irene Cheng. Sydney also gives a...

City Theatre opens its 35th anniversary season this weekend with In Clay. Director Kimberly Senior and City Theatre Artistic Director Clare Drobot speak with Anna Singer about the production.

In Clay is a "pandemic play," a solo musical written by Rebecca Simmonds and Jack Miles that unearths the overlooked artistry of ceramic artist Marie-Berthe Cazin. Clare describes seeing In Clay in Washington, D.C., where Kimberly also directed the show, and bringing it to Pittsburgh. Kimberly tells the story about how she came into the project, and how In Clay depicts relationships, the ordinary, and what it...

Chamber Music Pittsburgh returns for their 2026-2027 season, Revolutions: A Radical Returning! Executive Director Martha Bonta speaks with Jim Cunningham about the season's theme and stellar lineup.

This season takes inspiration from Ludwig van Beethoven, himself a revolutionary composer. Two centuries after Beethoven's death, this theme is an exploration of the radical, imaginative, and unique voices in chamber music across four centuries of sound. Featured composers include Beethoven, Valerie Coleman, Debussy, Ravel, and more.

The season opens with the Takács Quartet, followed by "Valerie Coleman & Friends." The fan-favorite complete Bach Brandenburg Concertos return to C...

Duquesne University's Music on the Bluff series returns for its 2026-2027 season, which features the music of Johannes Brahms. Dean of Music and Artistic Director of the series, David Allen Wehr, joined Anna Singer live on the QED Morning Show to talk about the season.

Brahms on the Bluff includes four concerts over the academic year, opening this Sunday, September 13th. The first concert features the Hungarian Dances and Waltzes, and in the second half a vocal journey through Brahms's music. Preceding the concert is a conversation with Dr. Benjamin Binder, who will play with Dean Wehr...