Conducting Conversations

The LaGrua Center in Stonington is the subject of this week's program with Dan Brandl, Executive Director. We talk about what has been happening at the Center, the upcoming events this season, and the Music Matters series, which continues to run. For more information, you can go to www.lagruacenter.org

This week, for a special St. Patrick's Day show, we feature Eddie Dillon, composer, arranger, singer, and Guitarist, and 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, some of his personal favorites, and discuss his upcoming concerts. For more information, go to www.eddiedillon.com 

The Mystic Chamber Music Series is the subject of this week's program, with Thomas Readett, Artistic and Executive Director, Nini Giorgadze, violinist, and Sila Senturk, pianist. We talk about the upcoming 2026 series and their concert coming up on Saturday, April 18th at 5:30 PM at The Noank Baptist Church. For more information, you can go to www.mysticchambermusicseries.com

The music of Disney is the subject of this week's program with Kurt Anderson, singer and music lover, and Jamie Jones, WCRI’s President and former Disney performer. We talk about many Disney movies and listen to some of their favorite music from those films. For more information, you can call 401-294-0274 or go to www.classical959.com

The RI Civic Choral and Orchestra is the subject of this week's program with Fred Surr, singer and Board Member. We talk about their upcoming concerts, and listen to some of the music being presented on Sunday, March 1st at 3 PM at the URI Fine Arts Center. For more information, you can call 401-521-5670 or go to www.ricco.org

The Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra is the subject of this week's program with President Greg Henninger. We discuss their upcoming concert and listen to music from the March 8th at 3 PM performance at the E. Providence H. S. Auditorium. For more information, you can call (401) 274-4578 or go to www.nabsco.org

This week, we feature Aaron-Larget Caplan, classical guitarist. He’s back to introduce another brand new album, “Guitar America 250”. This is the first time these songs will be heard anywhere! We’ll discuss his career and how he has had the opportunity to travel the world playing at concert venues large and small. For more information, you can go to www.alcguitar.com

This week, our special guests are Kristen and Del-Bourree Bach. We discuss their theatrical careers, how they met, and how Del’s artistic abilities led to his becoming one of the most successful painters in the area. We listen to music from Mark Tabor, Del and Kristen’s favorite pianist. For information, you can go to www.del-bourreebach.com

The Community Players' production of “Harold and Maude” is the subject of this week's program, featuring Karen Kessler, the actor, and Brad Kirton, the Director. We discuss production and listen to some of the very interesting songs from the movie soundtrack. The show is opening on February 13th in Pawtucket. For more information, you can call (401) 726-6860 or go to www.thecommunityplayers.org

This week, Newport Classical is the subject of the program with Trevor Neal, Artistic Director, and Oliver Inteeworn, the new Executive Director. We talk about their upcoming spring season and listen to music that relates to those performances. For more information, you can go to www.newportclassical.org

The Mystic River Chorale is the subject of this week's program with Frank Zilinyi, Artistic Director, and Alice Despar, a member of the Chorale. We talk about what the Chorale has done in the last season and their upcoming concert on Sunday, January 18th at 4 PM at Harkness Chapel at Connecticut College. For more information, you can go to www.mysticriverchorale.org

In celebration of the coming New Year, this week, we feature two singers from the Narragansett Bay Chorus as they bring us some of their favorite A Cappella music. The first part of the show features Josh Daly, a brand-new member, and then we welcome Kurt Anderson, VP of Music. We’ll be listening to some songs by eight different groups. For more information, you can go to www.SingNBC.com

On what has become an annual Christmas show, this week we feature Shannon Corey, singer, composer, pianist, and teacher. We'll listen to her 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
 

Theatre By The Sea's announcement of the 2026 season is the subject of this week's program with Bill Hanney, owner of the theatre, and Karen Kessler, GM and Director of Marketing. We talk about next summer's musicals and listen to some of the very popular songs from Little Shop of Horrors, Grease, On Your Feet, and Titanic. For more information, you can call (401) 782-8587 or go to www.theatrebythesea.com

The LaGrua Center in Stonington, CT, is the subject of this week's program, with Dan Brandl, Executive Director. We talk about what has been happening at the Center, the upcoming Whiffenpoof Concert on December 13th, and the Music Matters series, which continues to run. For more information, you can go to www.lagruacenter.org

Jenette DelMonaco, vocalist of Blues, Country, and Folk music, is our special guest. We are happy to introduce the RI singer to the WCRI audience. We'll listen to examples of her music, most of which was recorded live, and discuss her career and how she has had the opportunity to travel the world. For more information, you can go to www.LuckyBmusic.com

The Cornerstone Church on Cowesett Rd. in Warwick is the subject of this week's program with Jeff Pierce, Assistant Pastor of the Church, and Jocelyn Pierce, soloist. We'll talk about their church ministry and a special Holiday Concert with the Narragansett Bay Chorus being presented on Thursday, December 4th. For more information, you can go to www.cornerstonechurchri.org

This week, Newport Classical is the subject of the program, with Trevor Neal, Artistic Director. We talk about their upcoming Annual Holiday Concerts, which will run at many locations in the Newport area, and listen to music related to those performances. For more information, go to www.newportclassical.org

This week, Westminster Youth String Ensemble is the subject of the program with Kathleen Curran Monroe, Director. We talk about the upcoming season and the Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 6th, at 3 PM at the Westerly Armory, and we listen to some selections from past concerts. For more information, you can call 401.596.5225 or go to www.westminsterstrings.org
 

This week, the Jamestown Community Chorus is the subject of the program with B. J. Whitehouse, Music Director. We talk about their successful season last year and listen to some selections planned for the holiday concerts that will be held Saturday, December 13th and 14th at the Jamestown Recreational Center. For more information, you can call 401-207-0771 or go to www.jamestownchorus.com