Classical 95.9-FM WCRI

08-02-25 Akropolis Reed Quintet - WCRI‘s Kids Hour

This month, WCRI's Kids Hour host Jamie plays music from the fun and talented musicians of Akropolis Reed Quintet. For more information on their upcoming performance at Newport Classical Community Concerts, visit https://newportclassical.org/event/childrens-concert-akropolis-reed-quintet/, and for more details on Akropolis Reed Quintet, visit akropolisquintet.org

7-31-25 Cars & Trucks - A Walk In The Park

This week, Jane observes that it's hard to see nature when we feel provoked.

08-01-25 Vibraphonist Gary Burton-Like Minds - Jazz After Dinner

This week Joe is featuring Vibraphonist Gary Burton, from his 1998 Concord Records recording, titled “Like Minds.

08-03-25 Narragansett Bay Chorus at Little Compton's 350th - Conducting Conversations

In celebration of Little Compton’s 350th Anniversary this week, we feature the Narragansett Bay Chorus, which will be performing in Little Compton on August 22nd with the director of the Chorus, Bob O’Connell, and Bill Nussbaum, VP of Membership. We’ll be listening to some songs by the chorus, a few quartets, and an original piece by Bob O’Connell. For more information, you can go to www.SingNBC.com or www.LC350.com

7-24-25 Being Good - A Walk In The Park

This week, Jane notes that honesty and integrity are personal choices that everyone can make.

07-25-25 Trumpeter & Vocalist Louis Armstrong - Jazz After Dinner

This week, Joe is featuring Trumpeter and Vocalist Louis Armstrong from a 1988 CBS Records recording titled “Louis Armstrong, The Hot Fives and Hot Sevens, Vol. II.”
 

07-27-25 Stellar Studio Theater-Seussical the Musical - Conducting Conversations

Stellar Studios Theater is the subject of this week's program with Nathaniel Tarantino, Founder and Executive Director. We discuss the creation of this traveling theater company and its upcoming second production, Seussical The Musical, and listen to some of the music that will be presented. For more information, you can go to www.stellarstudiostheater.com
 
 

7-17-25 Cherry Tree - A Walk In The Park

This week, Jane recalls how a single piece of fruit overrode a mountain of fear.

07-18-25 Pianist Bill Evans - Jazz After Dinner

This week on Jazz After Dinner, Joe features Pianist Bill Evans from a 2016 Resonance Records recording, recorded in 1968, titled “Some Other Time.”

07-20-25 Theatre By The Sea's production of "Hairspray" - Conducting Conversations

Theatre By The Sea's third production of the 2025 season, “Hairspray,” is the subject of this week's program with Niki Metcalf, playing the role of Tracy, and Christopher Campbell, Director. We discuss the musical and listen to some of its very popular songs. For more information, you can call (401) 782-8587 or go to www.theatrebythesea.com
 

07-12-25 Author Jim Pierce-The Beginning - Ocean House Author Series

Join us as Ocean House owner and award-winning author Deborah Goodrich Royce moderates a conversation with our featured author, Jim Pierce.
About the Author: Jim Pierce is a retired insurance executive. His political roots include family ties to three American Presidents. 
“Treachery” is historical fiction about the first eighteen months of America’s “War between the States”. The Northern troops were hapless and results amazingly lopsided in the early days of the conflagration. The story develops a theory as to why that may have been the case.
"The Beginning" places the reader next to Prime Minister Winston Churchill as he steers England through its darkest hours in 1940 and 1941. This is a story you will not want to miss!
Historical fiction serves two purposes; the reader can learn about a past time, place, and people, while simultaneously enjoying the story being told. 
About The Beginning: "The Beginning" takes readers on a journey into Winston Churchill's world, set in the tumultuous years of 1940 and 1941. From the very first day he became prime minister, Churchill faced relentless challenges. Through historical fiction, the author skillfully transports readers back to these pivotal events, personalizing the experience and bringing history to life.
For more information about Jim Pierce, visit www.amazon.com/Beginning-Jim-Pierce. For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com

7-10-25 There is a Bat - A Walk In The Park

This week, Jane shares a memorable childhood story that involved a hilariously chaotic encounter with one of nature's most misunderstood animals.

07-11-25 Bassist & Composer Charles Mingus - Jazz After Dinner

This week, Joe features Bassist and Composer, Charles Mingus, from his recording in 1977 and released in 1988 on Who’s Who In Jazz/Jazz Workshop recording, titled “ Charles Mingus: His Final Work.”

07-13-25 Block Island's Mary D Fund Events - Conducting Conversations

Block Island’s Mary D Fund is the subject of this week's program with Marguerite Donnelly, Executive Director. We discuss her life on the Island, the Fund's origins, its current status, and two upcoming events: The Mary D Ball on July 26th and the 61st Annual A Cappella Festival. We listened to some of the music that will be presented at the Festival. For more information, you can go to the Mary D Fund on Facebook.

05-03-25 Music & Imagination - WCRI‘s Kids Hour

This month, WCRI's Kids Hour hosts Jamie and Spencer listen to music that allows us to make a story using our imagination. 

07-05-25 Lathrop Insurance 2025 - The 95.9 Company Break

In this week's 95.9 Company Break program, Mike talks to Dan Lathrop, President of Lathrop Insurance. Francis Lathrop Sr. started the Lathrop Insurance Agency in 1939 in Westerly, RI. His mission was simple: to safeguard his community against future disaster. Over time, the community recovered, reclaiming its identity as a premier tourist destination and thriving business hub. And the Lathrop Insurance Agency grew with it. Today, eighty-plus years and four generations later, Lathrop Insurance remains an independent family-owned agency known for its expert, customized service throughout southern New England. For more information, please call (401) 596-2525 or visit www.lathropinsurance.com

7-03-25 Line Up - A Walk In The Park

This week, Jane explores one of the benefits of waiting our turn.

07-04-25 Pianist & Vocalist Eliane Elias - Jazz After Dinner

This week on Jazz After Dinner, Joe features Pianist and Vocalist Eliane Elias, from her 2024 Candid Records recording, titled “ Time And Again.”
 

07-06-25 LaGrua Center-New London Big Band - Conducting Conversations

The LaGrua Center in Stonington is the subject of this week's program with Dan Brandl, Executive Director, and special guest Sean Nelson, Band Leader of the New London Big Band. We talk about what has been happening at the Center, as well as the Big Band Concert on July 18th, and listen to Sean’s music. For more information, you can go to www.lagruacenter.org or newlondonbigband.com

06-25-25 India's Kabirvad Banyan Tree - This Old Tree

In this episode of This Old Tree, Doug introduces us to Kabirvad, a 500-year-old, 4-acre banyan tree in the heart of Gujarat, India. The spectacular tree is a national treasure associated with Saint Kabir, a 15th-century mystic poet known for his timeless poetry. He challenged institutions, religions, and social conventions. Who was he, and how is his legend tied to a banyan tree? Journey to India to learn about Kabirvad. In understanding the tree, you may find the essence of Kabir himself.