This Wednesday at 9:00 p.m., “A Local Touch – Music with a Virginia Connection” takes a scenic trip to Virginia’s mountains for an evening of powerful performances and rich musical memories. Host Raymond Jones brings together Bach, Beethoven, Bernstein, and even a bit of high school band history – all tied to the Commonwealth.
We begin with the Smith Mountain Lake Symphony and Chorus, conducted by Johnny Bender, in two unforgettable works: Bach’s beloved Cantata No. 140 “Sleepers Awake”, with its serene beauty and timeless chorale melody, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, a cornerstone of the orchestral repertoire whose opening motif is among the most famous in music.
From there, it’s over to Staunton for a visit to the Heifetz Institute of Music in an episode titled “Trio con Brio,” music made three at a time from the Heifetz stage. You’ll hear lively selections by Leonard Bernstein and Zoltán Kodály, a heartfelt tribute from a Heifetz student to her teacher, and Beethoven’s radiant “Archduke” Trio to crown the set.
We’ll also step back in time to 1954, when Norfolk’s Granby High School Band traveled to Atlantic City, New Jersey, with Josh Barry of WNOR announcing and Russell Williams conducting. Then we’ll fast forward to 1967, when the Granby musicians returned home to perform with trumpet superstar Doc Severinsen in Ralph Herman’s Trumpet Concerto, under the baton of Leo Imperial.
It’s a journey through mountains, concert halls, and musical history—all without leaving your radio dial. Join Raymond Jones for “A Local Touch” this Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. on WHRO-FM 90.3, or listen online through our Media Player or your favorite device.
