Classical 95.9-FM WCRI

01-03-26 Pops Goes the Orchestra! - WCRI's Kids Hour

In this week's WCRI's Kids Hour, hosts Jamie and Spencer listen and discuss music from the Pops Orchestra. You'll hear music that takes us to the Grand Canyon, a magician's workshop, space, the big city, and more!

01-02-26 Pianist/Vocalist Shirley Horn-The Main Ingredient - Jazz After Dinner

This week, Joe is featuring Pianist/Vocalist Shirley Horn from her 1996 PolyGram/Verve Records recording, titled “The Main Ingredient.” 

01-04-26 Mystic River Chorale-Dec. 2025 - Conducting Conversations

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

12-28-25 Narragansett Bay Chorus/A Cappella - Conducting Conversations

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

12-26-25 Pianist/Composer Mike Renzi & Bassist/Vocalist Dick Lupino-December Songs - Jazz After Dinner

This week, Joe is featuring Pianist/Composer Mike Renzi, Bassist/Vocalist Dick Lupino from their 2011 Self-Published recording titled “December Songs.”

12-19-25 Vocalist Ray Charles-"Spirit of Christmas" - Jazz After Dinner

This week, Joe is featuring Vocalist Ray Charles from his 1985 Columbia Records recording, titled “The Spirit of Christmas.”

12-21-25 Shannon Corey - Conducting Conversations

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
 

12-18-25 Sure Footing - A Walk In The Park

This week, Jane looks at how things can turn out well in spite of nature.

12-14-25 Theatre by the Sea Announcing 2026 Musicals - Conducting Conversations

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

12-11-25 Sweeping Change - A Walk In The Park

This week, Jane explores how nature corresponds to how we are feeling.

12-12-25 Vocalist Tony Bennett-A Swingin Christmas - Jazz After Dinner

This week on Jazz After Dinner, Joe Features Vocalist Tony Bennett from his 2008 Sony Records recording, titled “A Swingin’ Christmas.”

12-06-25 WKH's Annual A Christmas Carol Radio Play 2025 - WCRI‘s Kids Hour

In this WCRI's Kids Hour, we invite you to our annual special radio play of A Christmas Carol! This play, adapted for radio from Charles Dickens' novella by Anthony E. Palermo, was first performed in 1947. We hope you enjoy it! From all of your friends at WCRI & Newport Classical!

12-06-25 Washington Trust 2025 - The 95.9 Company Break

This week's guests on The 95.9 Company Break are Mary Noons, Washington Trust President and COO, and Lauren Drury, VP and Chief Fiduciary Officer, Washington Trust Wealth Management. Age with Wisdom™ is Washington Trust’s new initiative designed to support customers as they navigate the financial transitions that come with aging. It brings together our banking, lending, and wealth management teams to offer coordinated, personalized support. We created it to meet a growing need in our communities for trusted guidance—whether it’s organizing finances, planning for care, or protecting loved ones from fraud. It offers practical, expert-based services like helping customers create an inventory of financial accounts, adding a power of attorney as a view-only user, ensuring beneficiaries are designated to avoid probate, and exploring home equity or reverse mortgage options to support aging in place. We also work with attorneys, accountants, healthcare providers, and residential care partners to create plans.  And although it’s really about planning, we can provide guidance when unexpected situations happen -and they do.For more information on Washington Trust, visit www.washtrust.com

12-05-25 Vocalist Nancy Wilson- A Nancy Wilson Christmas - Jazz After Dinner

This week, Joe is featuring Vocalist Nancy Wilson from her 2001 Telarc Records recording titled “A Nancy Wilson Christmas.”

12-07-25 LaGrua Center - Conducting Conversations

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

11-29-25 The General Sherman Tree: First Encounters - This Old Tree

In this episode of This Old Tree, with Doug Still...High up in California's Sierra Nevada mountains stands the largest tree on earth by volume - the General Sherman Tree. The famous giant sequoia has captivated millions of visitors, but few know the rich tapestry of stories woven around its massive trunk. Join us as we explore the “Giant Forest” of Sequoia National Park with former park ranger and author William C. Tweed. From the indigenous Monache and Yokuts who first walked among these giants, to ambitious Euro-American explorers like John Muir, to a Black Army Captain who became the park's first actual manager, discover how "first encounters" with giant sequoias become life-altering events. What evolutionary secrets enable sequoias to grow so large? Why do frequent fires help them to survive? And what is "sequoia time?" The General Sherman tree and its mates have changed how we view the natural world and our place within it.
 

11-27-25 Norman Rockwell - A Walk In The Park

This week, Jane examines how our holiday expectations may differ from reality.

11-28-25 Bassist Charlie Haden-Haunted Heart - Jazz After Dinner

This week on Jazz After Dinner, Joe features Bassist Charlie Haden from his 1991 Verve Records recording titled “Haunted Heart.”

11-30-25 Jenette DelMonaco, Vocalist of Blues, Country & Folk - Conducting Conversations

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

11-20-25 Pointing Up - A Walk In The Park

This week, Jane shares that pointing up may be better than pointing elsewhere.