Please join me as I talk with Merwin Siu, Artistic Administrator of Live Arts Toledo and Principal Second Violin of the Toledo Symphony, about how thoughtful programming, local partnerships, and long-term trust shape successful orchestral seasons. Merwin describes programming as a kind of “menu,” balancing the familiar and unfamiliar to create coherent musical experiences that resonate with specific communities. Drawing on projects inspired by Toledo’s astronomy program and regional conservation efforts, he shows how new music can feel both deeply local and broadly universal. The conversation also explores interdisciplinary collaboration and why new music is most effective when it’s integrated into a larger artistic narrative rather than treated as an isolated add-on.

www.danielperttu.com

Please join me as I talk with Jeffrey Robson, Music Director of the Arkansas Symphony, about his musical inspirations and experiences. Geoffrey, a former violinist, discusses his love for symphonic music, particularly from the Romantic and early 20th-century eras, and his admiration for composers like Tchaikovsky, Strauss, and Mahler. He highlights the importance of being a generalist in music and his appreciation for contemporary composers like Thomas Adès. Geoffrey emphasizes the collaborative relationship between conductors and living composers, noting the dynamic process of creating and performing new music.

https://www.geoffreyrobson.com

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Please join me as I talk with Chad Goodman, Music Director of the Elgin Symphony, as he discusses his journey from trumpet playing to conducting, inspired by a transformative experience with Dvorak's New World Symphony. He emphasizes the deep connection and authenticity required in conducting and highlights his love for Beethoven, Sibelius, and various living composers. We talk about the importance of engaging audiences with new music, using pre-concert talks and innovative programming to bridge the gap between contemporary and classical works. Please listen and watch below!

https://www.chadgoodmanmusic.com/

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Please join me as I talk with violin soloist Holly Mulcahy, who is also concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony, about her work in audience engagement. Holly discusses her background coming from a family that was not deeply into "classical" music and how this informs her approach to making classical music accessible. She highlights the importance of inviting non-musical families to concerts and providing value beyond just performance. We also talk about her super-popular Rose of Sonora violin concerto, which combines film narrative with live performance, and her collaboration with Dan on the Stealing from Birds concerto, which incorporates bird calls and themes into the fabric of the piece.

www.hollymulcahy.com

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Please join me as I talk with Michael O'Neal, founder and artistic director of The Michael O'Neal Singers, and Reece Windjack, the ensemble’s assistant and cover conductor, about what inspires them in their work. Michael reflects on formative influences from Leonard Bernstein and Robert Shaw, emphasizing storytelling, preparedness, and connecting deeply with audiences. Reece brings a Gen Z perspective, highlighting mentorship, diverse repertoire, and the role of choral music in fostering possibility and community. Together, they discuss championing living composers, reimagining classics, and shaping the future of live performance in a post-pandemic world.

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www.mosingers.com

Please join me as I talk with Larry Loh, Music Director of the Waco Symphony and Conductor Laureate of the Syracuse Orchestra, who shares what inspires him on the podium. We explore how narrative elements help audiences connect with new music, the influences of film scoring, and the challenges of programming contemporary works in traditional concert settings. Included also are insights on engaging audiences through pre-concert talks and demos.

In this episode, I talk about musical inspiration, transcendence, and the process of working with living composers with Adam Johnson, the Music Director of the Baton Rouge Symphony and Guelph Symphony. Among many other things, we discuss how programming design that includes new music invites audiences in and moves them beyond their ordinary lives.

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adamjohnsonconductor.com

In this episode, I talk with Ted Nelson, Vice President of Artistic Planning and Operations at the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, about musical inspiration and how this influences artistic planning of new music for performances by orchestras in the 2020s and beyond.

www.danielperttu.com