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.
LIVE | Gallwas Twins, 17, piano duet
November 23, 2024
Joseph and Kenneth Gallwas of Elmhurst work together as a piano duet, studying at New Music School. They perform music of Mozart, Piazzolla, Guastavino and Bach on WFMT's Steinway.
Katherine Schaufenbuel, 13, violin
November 16, 2024
Today we feature young violinist Katherine Schaufenbuel, a student of Grigory Kalinovsky of Indiana University. She plays Telemann, Mozart, Brahms, Wieniawski and Auerbach with pianist Lyudmila Lakisova.
Three Academy String Quartets
November 9, 2024
Today we hear from three string quartets formed at the Music Institute of Chicago Academy in the 2023-2024 school year. They play music by Haydn, Beethoven, Puccini, Grieg, Prokofiev and Ginastera.
LIVE | Lily Sullivan, 17, violin
November 2, 2024
Introductions comes back from the Fall Membership Drive to bring you Lily Sullivan, a senior at the Music Institute of Chicago Academy and a violin student of Grigory Kalinovsky of Indiana University. She plays Montgomery and Bach solo, plus Wieniawski with pianist Inah Chiu.
No Introductions | WFMT Fall Membership Drive
October 26, 2024
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 Fall Membership Drive
October 19, 2024
Donate to Classical WFMT so we can keep bringing you Introductions and other great programming. Call (773) 279-2100 or visit wfmt.com/donate.
LIVE | Angelika Wang, 17, piano
October 12, 2024
Today we feature Whitney Young High School senior Angelika Wang, a piano student of Brenda Huang. She plays music of Beethoven, Messiaen, Rachmaninoff and Bach-Busoni.
Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen Children’s Chorus
October 5, 2024
Today we feature a visiting children's choir from Austria: the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen. They performed a mix of Austrian and American tunes as part of the Rush Hour Concerts in Chicago's St. James Cathedral.
Chloe Nam, 16, flute
September 28, 2024
We revisit Chloe's Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition finalist performance before a flute recital of Chaminade, Mozart, Rocherolle and CPE Bach with pianist Kay Kim.
The Purple Hippopotami and Trioscuro
September 21, 2024
We feature two chamber trios, one of flutes and a traditional piano trio, with students from Merit School of Music and the Music Institute of Chicago Academy.
LIVE | Jan Vargas Nedvetsky, 18, cello
September 14, 2024
We welcome a return guest for the first live recital of the new school year: Jan Vargas Nedvetsky is in his final year at the Music Institute of Chicago Academy, studying with Hans Jørgen Jensen. He and pianist Liang-yu Wang play Tchaikovsky, Locatelli, Weir and Beethoven.
Encore broadcast | Anna Huelke, 18, flute
September 7, 2024
Anna Huelke was a Principal Flute in Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras and has just started a music degree at Wheaton College. We revisit her selections highlighting her Czech heritage, joined by pianist Kay Kim and fellow CYSO flute alum Destina Sarussi.
Introductions Class of 2024
August 31, 2024
A recap of 32 graduating seniors, some highlight performances, and where they're heading next.
The Bone Rangers; Vario Quartet; Trio Fiammifero; Sterling Brass Quintet
August 24, 2024
Today we feature three different music programs and four different chamber ensembles, all active in the 2023-24 school year. Brass and string music by Henri Tomasi, Alberto Ginastera, Zoltán Kodály and more. Members of these groups have appeared on Introductions previously: – Padric Sullivan and Calleigh Riordan have been in a previous iteration of The Bone Rangers, broadcast in July ...
LIVE | Xavier Miyazaki, 18, cello
August 17, 2024
Today we hear a live recital from cellist Xavier Miyazaki, a student of Hans Jørgen Jensen of Northwestern University. He's joined by pianist Liang-yu Wang in music of Beethoven, Dall'Abaco, Schumann, Mayuzumi, and Popper.
Marguerite DiMarco, 18, soprano & Caitlin Burns, 18, soprano
August 10, 2024
Today we feature two sopranos doing short recitals of arias and songs: Marguerite DiMarco and Caitlin Burns sing Bernstein, Copland, Fauré, Mozart, Menotti and more.
Clark Snavely, 18, violin
August 3, 2024
We hear from Wisconsin violinist Clark Snavely, a student of Almita Vamos. He’s joined by pianist Milana Pavchinskaya in Chopin, Chausson, and Corigliano.
Encore broadcast | Clara Zhang, 16, piano
July 27, 2024
Pianist Clara Zhang plays a recital of Bach, Chopin, Ravel, Haydn, Walker, Rachmaninoff, and Bowen.
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Spring Concert
July 20, 2024
Highlights from CYSO’s 2024 Spring Concert at Symphony Center – Allen Tinkham conducts music by Stacy Garrop, Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky.
Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative Class of 2024
July 13, 2024
Five graduating seniors from Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative: a flute player, a trumpeter, a violinist, and two percussionists.
Encore broadcast | Clara Zhang, 16, piano
July 11, 2026, 11:00 am
We hear once again from pianist Clara Zhang, playing Bach and Chopin. This episode first aired on February 17, 2024. More details and the podcast are available at the original episode page.
