The thought of 100 percussionists may evoke up cacophonous clanging, but the soundscape is more peaceful than you might expect.

WFMT is proud to present KAIA Kids Around the World, a new web series that explores music from across the globe. As WFMT’s first ensemble in residence, KAIA String Quartet is taking WFMT fans on a musical adventure throughout Latin America from May – July 2017. With nine different stops throughout Latin America, KAIA is exploring the music of Brazil from May …

The cultural traditions of Venezuela are as rich as its biodiversity. In the KAIA Kids adventure to Venezuela, learn about a special style of Venezuelan music and dance called joropo.

The string quartet gets its name from the Afrikaans word for “contrast,” since the musicians enjoy playing seemingly contrasting repertoire even within the same program

Oscar Peterson has delighted music lovers as a solo pianist, playing in his trio, and even with large orchestras. He joined the Boston Pops Orchestra for a performance that was broadcast December 23, 1980 as part of Evening at the Pops, produced by PBS member station WGBH-TV between 1970 and 2005.

“I love to sing for people, and that helps with my mood swings too – especially folk music. Folk music is the mother of all music. It’s the people’s music. I am very grateful to express my views through the music. Music can make people confront reality and confront themselves.”

KAIA String Quartet joined comedian Robbie Ellis, singer Bethany Thomas, and storyteller Jack Zimmerman for the inaugural WFMT Cabaret at Uptown Underground. KAIA, WFMT’s first ensemble-in-residence, is dedicated to sharing Latin American culture through the medium of the string quartet.

And she doesn’t sound as fowl as you might think, either.

You don’t need an expensive piano sitting in your living room to impress your friends and family when they come to visit. Instead, wow them with a keyboard you made yourself. Stian Eikeland, a “developer, hacker, techno-foodie, diver, hobby-photographer” from Bergen, Norway, found a way to turn bananas into a fully functioning touch-sensor keyboard. The banana keyboard’s hardware consists of …

The Pregnant Buffalo Lounge, a subterranean space at the Chopin Theatre was home to the second WFMT Cabaret.

Sitarist Gaurv Mazumdar has been making music since he was a child, though first as a singer and violinist. Later, he began studying sitar with Pandit Ravi Shankar. Since, he has collaborated with some of the greatest musicians from different traditions, from internationally acclaimed veena player Jayanthi Kumaresh to legendary composer Philip Glass. In 2004, Mazumdar was nominated for a …

After Joe Feingold could no longer play his violin, he decided to donate it. He didn’t realize that this simple act of kindness would change Brianna Perez’s life.

Renowned choreographer Justin Peck took a break from his rehearsals with the Joffrey Ballet to explain what he listens for when selecting music to choreograph.

You may know Stewart Copeland as a founding member of the band the Police, but did you know he’s also composed works for orchestra, ballets, and even operas? His music has also been featured in countless films and even video games. With such an incredibly diverse output, what has inspired this chart-topping composer and musician to create new operas? In …

Is there anything Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter cannot do? YouTuber unconservatory has proved that the choreography to Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” looks good even set to Shostakovich. In the video below, you can see her dance to the syncopated rhythms of the scherzo from Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10.   This isn’t the only time someone has done a classical mash-up with Beyoncé’s …

As classical music and opera evolve into the 21st century, so must musicians. Star soprano Renée Fleming explains what every young singer should do.

Playing percussion is a lot harder than you might think. Unlike say, a violinist, who is responsible for playing one instrument, a percussionist must play dozens, if not hundreds, of different instruments.

If you’ve read the original novella or seen adaptations onstage or onscreen, you may have wondered which Christmas carols characters in A Christmas Carol would have actually heard.

You’ve likely heard the song “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen at least once since it was released in 2013. Not only did “Let It Go” win Best Original Song at the 2014 Academy Awards and Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 2015 Grammy Awards, it’s also been recorded in dozens of languages from Cantonese to Croatian. Even …

One of Russia’s greatest pianists, Vera Gornostaeva, was virtually unknown outside of her native country for most of her career. She taught at the Moscow Conservatory, earned the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, had a popular television program, Open Piano, and trained dozens of prize-winning pianists. Yet for most of her life, she was never permitted to …

Two of the most famous songs about the Windy City have been recorded by Frank Sinatra: “Chicago” and “My Kind of Town.” WFMT host Robbie Ellis has composed his own Chicago song, “A Shot of Malört,” that he shared during the station’s first Classical Cabaret, hosted at the Uptown Underground nightclub and broadcast live. For those who aren’t familiar, Jeppson’s …

Memorable performances by orchestras at recent sporting events.

On Monday, October 24, 2016 at Uptown Underground, WFMT presented its inaugural Cabaret before a live audience. A wide range of acts took the stage that night. WFMT announcer Robbie Ellis, who happens to be both a composer and a comedian, shared some of his original silly songs. KAIA String Quartet’s shared classical works that have folk roots. Singer Bethany …

Emmy Award-winning filmmaker’s Marian Marzynski newest documentary is Do You Speak Chopin?. Marzynski’s love letter to Chopin is centered around the “Chopin Olympics” of the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland.

Surprisingly, Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood is at the center of this musical standard.