Introductions

Saturdays at 11:00 am

Members of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras perform during a live broadcast of Introductions from Millennium Park. (Photo: Tipping Point Photography)

Hear talented pre-college classical musicians from the Chicago area

Introductions is WFMT’s weekly Saturday morning program that features talented pre-college classical musicians in the Chicago area. Soloists and chamber ensembles perform live in WFMT’s Levin Performance Studio. Large ensembles, including orchestras, choirs, and bands, are recorded at their home venues and broadcast at later dates. The program also features youth music competition winners. While many Introductions alumni pursue careers outside of music, some have gone on to study at some of the most prestigious music schools around the world and maintain careers as professional musicians.

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LIVE | Zarin Mehta, 16, piano and composer

March 30, 2024, 11:00 am

Return guest Zarin Mehta presents premieres of his own music and Augusta Read Thomas's, plus pieces by Bach, Beethoven, and Lyapunov.

No Introductions | WFMT Spring Membership Drive

April 6, 2024, 11:00 am

Donate to Classical WFMT so we can keep bringing you Introductions and other great programming. Call (773) 279-2100 or visit wfmt.com/donate.

No Introductions | WFMT Spring Membership Drive

April 13, 2024, 11:00 am

Donate to Classical WFMT so we can keep bringing you Introductions and other great programming. Call (773) 279-2100 or visit wfmt.com/donate.

2024 Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition

April 20, 2024, 11:00 am

This morning we hear from all three finalists in the 2024 Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition, including the winner, steelpan soloist Jaden Teague-Núñez, with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Jeffery Tong, 15, cello

April 27, 2024, 11:00 am

Today we hear from cellist Jeffery Tong, a student of Tanya Carey. He’s joined by pianist Liang-yu Wang in music of Saint-Saëns, Beethoven, Bach, Perkinson, and Nadia Boulanger.

LIVE | Clark Snavely, 18, violin

May 4, 2024, 11:00 am

A live violin recital from an Almita Vamos student this weekend - Wisconsinite Clark Snavely plays Emsail, Dvořák, Chausson and Corigliano with pianist Milana Pavchinskaya.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Highlights

May 11, 2024, 11:00 am

To mark Asian-American and Pacific Island Heritage Month, Introductions features young performers in music with Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean influences.

Hayden Joyce, 17, horn & Fabrizio Milcent, 18, bassoon

May 18, 2024, 11:00 am

Two seniors and principal players from Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, playing instruments that aren't often featured on Introductions.

Chamber Music

May 25, 2024, 11:00 am

Young chamber ensembles from around the Chicago area.