This Wednesday night on “A Local Touch – Music with a Virginia Connection,” host Raymond Jones guides listeners through a rich tapestry of sounds that reflect Virginia’s diverse musical life, from local ensembles to recordings that resonate with the Commonwealth’s spirit.
The program opens with selections from the album “A Musical Journey” by Flute Frenzy, a dynamic ensemble that inspires young musicians across Hampton Roads. Their performance will transport listeners from Irish hillsides to Japanese seascapes.
From Williamsburg, we hear the Cantori Vocal Ensemble in a program titled “The Love of Music,” recorded at Walnut Hills Baptist Church, featuring works by Thomas Morley, Hubert Parry, and John Rutter.
The Tidewater Winds, under John Brewington, bring energy and color to the airwaves with Alfred Reed’s “Festival Prelude.” As Hampton Roads’ premier wind ensemble, Tidewater Winds continues to celebrate and sustain live music traditions across the region.
From Staunton, this week’s Heifetz on Air feature, “Czech, Please!” transports listeners to the 2024 Heifetz Institute summer stage with music by beloved Bohemian composers Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, and Bohuslav Martinů.
We then travel to Norfolk, where Tyler Austin leads the Newfound Chamber Winds in Gounod’s “Petite Symphonie Concertante,” recorded live at Trinity Lutheran Church. This performance showcases the ensemble’s finesse in chamber repertoire, reflecting the vibrant classical music community thriving in Hampton Roads.
Listeners will also enjoy “American Sketches" by Aldo Forte, performed by Het Maastrichts Saxofoon Kwartet. And the evening will conclude with a journey to the Blue Ridge Mountains with the Timothy Seaman Ensemble.
From the coastal winds of Hampton Roads to the quiet majesty of the Blue Ridge, “A Local Touch” this week offers a program that mirrors the rich cultural and geographic diversity of Virginia, celebrating the musicians and places that continue to shape the Commonwealth’s musical identity.
Join us on Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. on WHRO-FM 90.3, and online, for an evening of music with “A Local Touch.”
