Conducting Conversations

03-23-25 Community Player's - Conducting Conversations

The Community Player's production of “Merrily We Roll Along” is the subject of this week's program with Christopher Margadonna, President and John K. McElroy, Director. We talk about the musical and listen to some of the very interesting songs from the show being presented April 4th through the 13th. For more information you can call (401) 726-6860 or go to www.thecommunityplayers.org

03-16-25 Eddie Dillon, Composer, Arranger, Singer & Guitarist - Conducting Conversation

This week, we feature Eddie Dillon, Composer, Arranger, Singer, and Guitarist, for a special show about St. Patrick's Day. He was one of the original guests on the show when it started in 2007. Eddie is the only person to have appeared with Mike every year of the show's existence. We'll listen to some examples of his music and some of his personal favorites and discuss his upcoming concerts. For more information, you can go to www.eddiedillon.com
 

03-09-25 R.I. Civic Choral & Orchestra - Conducting Conversation

The RI Civic Choral and Orchestra is the subject of this week's program with Dr. Joshua Rohde, Music Director. We talk about their upcoming concert and listen to some music presented on Sunday, March 30th, at St. Sebastian’s Church in Providence at 3 PM. For more information, you can call 401-521-5670 or go to www.ricco.org

03-02-25 Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts - Conducting Conversation

The Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts is the subject of this week's program with Craig Menard and Heidi Smith. We talked about their upcoming concert and listened to some of the music presented on March 6th at the McVinney Auditorium in Providence. For more information, you can call (401) 863-2416 or go to www.ricmc.org

02-23-25 Robert Rogler-Classical Music Composer - Conducting Conversation

This week, Robert Rogler, a classical music composer, is our special guest. We talk about his many compositions and listen to some of the recordings of his music that multiple artists have performed. For more information, you can go to https://roglercollection.com/about.com

02-16-25 Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra - Conducting Conversation

The Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra is the subject of this week's program with Luis Viquez, Guest Conductor, and President Greg Henninger. We talked about their upcoming concert and listened to some of the music that will be presented on March 2nd at the E. Greenwich H. S. Auditorium. For more information, you can call (401) 274-4578 or go to www.nabsco.org

02-09-25 Newport Classical Chamber Series - Conducting Conversation

Newport Classical is the program's subject with Trevor Neal, Artistic Director, this week. We talk about their upcoming concert season that will run at the Newport Classical Recital Hall in Newport and listen to music related to those performances. For more information, you can go to www.newportclassical.org 

02-02-25 Community Music Works - Conducting Conversation

Community Music Works is the subject of this week's program with Sebastian Ruth, Founder and Artistic Director. We talk about their brand new building, their work with music education in the schools, and their upcoming concerts in the next few months. For more information, you can go to www.communitymusicworks.org

01-26-25 R.I. Wind Ensemble - Conducting Conversation

This week, the R I Wind Ensemble is the program's subject, and it features Dr. Robert Franzblau, the conductor, and Historic Music of Newport's Mark Stickney, the organization's founder. We talk about their upcoming Spring Concert and listen to some selections that will be performed on their February 16th concert at the Newport Marriott. For more information, you can go to www.riwe.org
 

01-19-25 Mystic Chamber Music Series - Conducting Conversation

The Mystic Chamber Music Series is the subject of this week's program with Thomas Readett, Artistic and Executive Director. We talk about what the brand new series is about and their concert coming up on Saturday February 8th at 5:30 PM at The LaGrua Center. For more information you can go to www.mysticchambermusicseries.com

01-12-25 Mystic River Chorale Jan. 2025 - Conducting Conversation

The Mystic River Chorale is the subject of this week's program with Frank Zilinyi, Artistic Director. We discuss what the Chorale has done in the last season and their concert on Sunday, January 19th, at 4 PM in Harkness Chapel at Connecticut College. For more information, you can go to www.mysticriverchorale.org

01-05-25 Greg Abate, Saxophonist, Flutist, Composer & Arranger - Conducting Conversation

Greg Abate, saxophonist, flutist, composer, arranger, and member of the RI Music Hall of Fame, is our special guest this week. We talk about his upcoming concerts and listen to music from his multiple recordings. For more information, you can go to www.gregabate.com

12-29-24 A Cappella Holiday Music - Conducting Conversation

The subject of this week's program is A Cappella Holiday Music with Mike Maino. Mike has a chance to do the first in a series about great American a cappella groups. In this case, the artists are a group from Florida, “The Liberty Voices,” along with “Acoustix” from Dallas, and “Rockapella,” which has Rhode Island roots. For more information or comments, you can call (401) 294-9274, or email maino@classical959.com

12-22-24 Shannon Corey, Singer, Composer, Pianist & Teacher - Conducting Conversation

This week, we feature Shannon Corey, singer, composer, pianist, and teacher. We'll listen to the new release of her new holiday song, “Winter,” and other songs from her Holiday CD, “I Wish I Had A River.” We’ll also discuss her career and how she has had the opportunity to travel the world singing. For more information, you can go to www.shannoncoreymusic.com

12-15-24 Boston Pops & Keith Lockhart - Conducting Conversation

This week will repeat a very special Christmas program that was one of the first ever done on Conducting Conversations with Keith Lockhart, Director of the Boston Pops. We'll listen to selections from their wonderful Christmas CDs” and discuss his music career. For more information, you can go to www.classical959.com
 
 
 

12-08-24 Music of Frank Sinatra - Conducting Conversation

This week, the music of Frank Sinatra, a world famous singer and song stylist, is the subject of our program. Stephanie Goddard, singer and huge Sinatra fan, is the special guest co-host. We talk about the extraordinary amount of music Sinatra recorded and listen to some selections that made him one of the greatest of all time. For more information, you can go to wcri@classical959.com

12-01-24 Theatre by the Sea 2025 Line Up - Conducting Conversation

Theatre By The Sea's announcement of the 2025 season is the subject of this week's program with Bill Hanney, owner of the theatre, and Karen Kessler, Director of Marketing. We talk about next summer's musicals and listen to some of the very popular songs from Alway...Patsy Cline, Waitress, Hairspray, and Heartbreak Hotel (about Elvis). For more information, you can call (401) 782-8587 or go to www.theatrebythesea.com

11-24-24 The Cornerstone Church - Conducting Conversation

The Cornerstone Church, on Cowesett Rd. in Warwick, is the subject of this week's program with Jeff Pierce, Assistant Pastor of the Church. We talk about their church ministry and a special Holiday Concert with the Narragansett Bay Chorus being presented on Monday, December 9th. We play some of the music that will be heard that evening. For more information, you can go to www.cornerstonechurchri.org

11-17-24 Westminster Youth String Ensemble 2024 - Conducting Conversation

This week, Westminster Youth String Ensemble is the program's subject with Kathleen Curran Monroe, Director. We talk about the upcoming season and the Holiday Concert on Sunday, December 1st, at 3 PM at the Westerly Armory in Westerly and listen to some selections of past concerts. For more information, you can call 401.596.5225 or go to www.westminsterstrings.org
 
 

11-10-24 URI Holiday Extravaganza Music Festival - Conducting Conversation

The URI Holiday Extravaganza Music Festival is the subject of this week's program with David Gilliland, Artistic Director. We talk about the concerts that will be presented on December 7th at 2:00 and 7:00 PM at the URI Fine Arts Center. The event will feature over 180 performers. For more information, you can go to https://web.uri.edu/music/events