WRCJ In-Studio Guests
Episodes
Paul Watkins - June 10, 2026
10 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival starts this weekend. Paul Watkins takes a bow as artistic director of the festival...
Bruce Campbell - June 2, 2026
02 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
90.9 WRCJ’s film host Haley Taylor interviews actor, producer, screenwriter and director Bruce Campbell. Bruce has a new movie “Ernie and Emma” ...
Marion Hayden - May 8, 2026
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Renowned bassist Marion Hayden will return to The Station at Michigan Central with the Grammy-nominated band Straight Ahead for a special Mother’s D...
Fred Hohman - April 22, 2026
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
90.9 WRCJ's Dave Wagner speaks with organist Fred Hohman who is playing a free concert on Sunday April 26, 2026 at 4pm at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral ...
Yolanda Kondonassis - April 20, 2026
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Grammy®-nominated harpist Yolanda Kondonassis has released the new album "Terra Infirma" just ahead of Earth Day. In this interview, our very own har...
Lisa DiChiera - April 10, 2026
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lisa DiChiera talks with Dave Wagner about opera in Detroit. It began with her father, Dr. David DiChiera presenting "Overture to Opera" which grew i...
Thomas Wilkins - March 4, 2026
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Classical Roots concert comes to 90.9 FM Friday morning at 10:40. WRCJ's Cecelia Sharpe speaks with conductor Thomas...
Sarah Calderini - February 12, 2026
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The A2SO brings you an extra special Valentines Day concert this Saturday - and an exciting second half to the 2025-26 season. Peter speaks with A2SO ...
Kaneza Schaal - December 7, 2025
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kaneza Schaal - December 7, 2025 by 90.9 WRCJ
Anna Glass - November 14, 2025
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cecelia Sharpe speaks with Executive Director Anna Glass about the Dance Theater of Harlem's performance at the Detroit Opera House November 15-16, 20...
Musical Milestones with Christa Grix - Cass Tech
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The harp and vocal ensemble at Detroit's Cass Tech High School is the oldest continuously operating public school music program in the United States. ...
Christopher O'Riley - October 3, 2025
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Johann Sebastian Bach’s “The Well-Tempered Clavier” a two-volume collection of 24 preludes and fugues in every major and minor key, is a foundat...
Musical Milestones with Christa Grix - Anna Magdalena Notebook
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
2025 is the 300th anniversary of the Anna Magdalena Notebook. The lavish notebook was a gift from Johann Sebastian Bach to his second wife Anna Magda...
Musical Milestones with Christa Grix - Carmen
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
2025 marks the 150th anniversary of Georges Bizet's opera masterpiece "Carmen". Scandalous when it was first performed, Bizet sadly didn't live to see...
Sarah Calderini - September 9, 2025
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra's new season opens September 12, 2025. 90.9 WRCJ's Peter Whorf and orchestra Executive Director Sarah Calderini talk ...
Musical Milestones with Christa Grix - Monteux
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
2025 is the 20th anniversary of 90.9 WRCJ and would be the 150th birthday of conductor Pierre Monteux. He led orchestras like the Boston Symphony and ...
Jason Moran - August 26, 2025
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pianist and composer Jason Moran is this year's Artist-in-Residence for the 2025 Detroit Jazz Festival. Get to know him better in this interview with ...
Remembering Sheila Jordan with John Penney
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Detroit-born Sheila Jordan passed away Monday, August 11, 2025 at the age of 96. She was a jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, music educator, NEA Jazz ...
Tatiana Eva-Marie - August 25, 2025
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
90.9 WRCJ's Linda Yohn speaks with engaging and entrancing French jazz singer Tatiana Eva-Marie. She will be performing at the 2025 Detroit Jazz Festi...
Musical Milestones with Christa Grix - Oscar Peterson
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
2025 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson. Hear a bit of his story and how he was influenced by classical...
Musical Milestones with Christa Grix - Jane Austen
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of English Author Jane Austen! Listen to this little feature by 90.9 WRCJ's Christa Grix for a bit of hi...
Jeremy Crosmer - July 8, 2025
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Sosnick Courtyard Series opens this week through the 20th in midtown Detroit. 90.9 WRCJ's Peter Whorf speaks with DSO...
Musical Milestones with Christa Grix - Palestrina
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
90.9 WRCJ's Christa Grix tells us a little more about Italian composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, who many of the greats turned to for inspirat...
Paul Watkins - June 16, 2025
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival brings legendary works and new compositions to the metro area every June. 90.9 WRCJ's Peter Whorf speaks with Artis...
Jader Bignamini - May 30, 2025
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
90.9 WRCJ's Peter Whorf speaks with DSO music director Jader Bignamini about the orchestra's final concerts this season, including beloved concertos,...
Jader Bignamini - May 16, 2025
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
90.9 WRCJ's Haley Taylor speaks with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Music Director & Conductor Jader Bignamini. The Orchestra performs a 150th birth...
Anthony Parnther - May 4, 2025
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this excerpt from "Live with C#" Cecelia speaks with Conductor and Bassoonist Anthony Parnther who conducts Detroit Opera's production of "Central ...
Professor Jeffrey Sposato - April 29, 2025
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Dave speaks with Professor Jeffrey S. Sposato, Chair and Professor of the Department of Music at Wayne State University. He will be doing the Pre-...
Edward Quick - March 28, 2025
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cecelia Sharpe talks with Edward Quick, Director of the Ferndale Community Concert Band. The band celebrates their 10 year anniversary with a concert ...
Charlie Albright - March 21, 2025
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cecelia Sharpe talks with pianist and composer Charlie Albright who is performing March 23, 2025 at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial presented by ProMus...
Catherine Russell - March 13, 2025
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Linda Yohn speaks with jazz vocalist Catherine Russell who is releasing her new album "Send For Me" and performing at The Cube in Detroit March 22, 20...
Wynton Marsalis - March 12, 2025
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
90.9 WRCJ's Peter Whorf talks with Jader Bignamini and Wynton Marsalis about the new Detroit Symphony Orchestra release of "Blues Symphony".
Musical Milestones with Christa Grix - Ravel
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
90.9 WRCJ's Christa Grix talks a little about Maurice Ravel as he celebrates his 150th birthday this year.
Kris Johnson - February 28, 2025
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cecelia Sharpe talks with award-winning Detroit trumpeter, composer, and educator Kris Johnson who premieres his work Marlowe's Wings: Detroit's Champ...
Nicole Heaston - February 23, 2025
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this excerpt from "Live with C#" Cecelia helps get you ready for Detroit Opera's "Rinaldo" with special guest, the dynamic, soprano Nicole Heaston....
Louisa Proske and Roberto Kalb - February 22, 2025
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
90.9 WRCJ's Haley Taylor talks with Louisa Proske, Director of Detroit Opera's production "Rinaldo" as well as Roberto Kalb the Opera's Music Director...
Randall Goosby - January 30, 2025
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Randall Goosby returns to Detroit to play Florence Price with the DSO this weekend. It's a reunion with 90.9 WRCJ's Peter Whorf who heard Goosby play ...
Kymm Clark - January 26, 2025
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this excerpt from the January 2025 episode of "Live with C#" Cecelia speaks with Kymm Clark who is both keeping the art of upholstery alive and giv...
Robyn Bollinger - November 21, 2024
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This weekend the DSO performs Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 5. Joseph Haydn’s 100th Symphony opens the program. DSO concertmaster Robyn ...
Christopher Ward - November 19, 2024
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave Wagner talks with Christopher Ward, Director of the award winning Five Lakes Silver Band and their tribute to the students of Oxford High School ...
Sharon Sparrow - November 15, 2024
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant Principle Flutist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Sharon Sparrow has a new holiday album "Flutes Joyeux!" She stops by our studios before ...
Le Boeuf/Akropolis Quintet - October 8, 2024
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cecelia Sharpe speaks with members of the Akropolis Reed Quintet and composer/pianist Pascal Le Boeuf about their latest album "Are we Dreaming the Sa...
Yuval Sharon - October 7, 2024
06 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Yuval Sharon and the Detroit Opera are shaking up the opera scene in Detroit. As artistic Director since 2020, Sharon has brought viewers unique perfo...
Sarah Calderini - September 25, 2024
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 2024-25 season this Friday night at Hill Auditorium. WRCJ's Peter Whorf speaks with A2SO executive dire...
Sheku Kanneh-Mason - June 7, 2024
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sheku Kanneh-Mason makes his DSO debut this week. He joins Peter to talk about his remarkable musical family, and his thoughts on cooperation and comp...
Paul Watkins - June 6, 2024
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cellist Paul Watkins is in his 10th year as Artistic Director of the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival. He speaks with Peter about the wide-ranging s...
John Penney's Brian Blade Special
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Blade is the Artist in Residence for the 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival. John Penney put together this one hour special featuring his wisdom and his...
Sarah Calderini - May 17, 2024
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The A2SO wraps up its 2023/24 season Saturday night at Hill Auditorium with Beethoven's 9th. Executive Director Sarah Calderini talks with Peter about...
90.9 WRCJ Podcast - Leos Janacek & The Cunning Little Vixen
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Learn more about Leos Janacek and his opera "The Cunning Little Vixen" in this short feature put together by 90.9's Jenna Dell and Adam Hinton. Detroi...
Juanjo Mena - March 13, 2024
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Juanjo Mena leads the DSO this weekend in a program of Schumann and Elgar favorites. Peter speaks with Mena about being a guest conductor...and some o...
Na'Zir McFadden - February 29, 2024
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Peter and DSO Assistant Conductor Na'Zir McFadden talk about Classical Roots and upcoming concerts...and reflect on some of the sounds we hear in Shel...
Dominic Waddles - Eddins/Price Featurette
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In addition to being a gifted instrumentalist, Detroit saxophonist, composer and educator Dominic Waddles is a member of the music theory staff at Mic...
Ann Marie Koukios - February 23, 2024
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Dave Wagner talks with Ann Marie Koukios, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Fort Street Chorale. On February 25, 2024 the Fort Street Choral...
Hannah Hammel Maser - February 21, 2024
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Peter's final conversation with DSO musicians during their Florida tour. This time, it's Principal Flutist Hannah Hammel Maser reflecting on this past...
Kevin Brown - February 20, 2024
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Peter brings us our daily check-in with DSO musicians on the Florida tour. Today, Principal Bassist Kevin Brown leads off the conversation as he cons...
Ralph Skiano (Florida Tour) - February 19, 2024
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Peter caught up with DSO Principal Clarinetist Ralph Skiano first thing this week to talk about the orchestra's Florida tour. This past weekend was a ...
Kenneth Thompkins - February 14, 2024
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
WRCJ is your station for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's 2024 Florida tour this week - taking our ensemble to six cities in the sunshine state. But P...
Dominic Waddles - Thomas Wilkins Featurette
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In addition to being a gifted instrumentalist, Detroit saxophonist, composer and educator Dominic Waddles is a member of the music theory staff at Mic...
Dominic Waddles - Lara Downes Featurette
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In addition to being a gifted instrumentalist, Detroit saxophonist, composer and educator Dominic Waddles is a member of the music theory staff at Mic...
Ralph Skiano - January 24, 2024
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
DSO Principal Clarinetist Ralph Skiano takes center stage with the orchestra on this weekend's Neighborhood Concert Series. Peter catches up with Skia...
Douglas Bianchi and Anthony Wing - January 18, 2024
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Douglas Bianchi conducts the International Symphony Orchestra in their "At the Movies" concert this weekend. The concert consists of 20th and 21st ce...
Rodrick Dixon - January 12, 2024
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The 20th Anniversary of "Too Hot To Handel" in Detroit at the Detroit Opera is just around the corner. Here's a sneak peek of Cecelia's conversation w...
Alexander Kinmonth - January 12, 2024
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
DSO Principal Oboist Alexander Kinmonth and Associate Concertmaster Kimberly Kaloyanodes Kennedy play Bach's Oboe and Violin Concerto this weekend on ...
Ann Arbor Symphony coming to Orchestra Hall
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra performs for the first time at Orchestra Hall in Detroit on Friday, January 26. It's part of a music-rich weekend in ...
Yolanda Jack - December 15, 2023
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cecelia Sharpe speaks with Yolanda Jack, Director of the play TopDog/UnderDog running at the Detroit Repertory Theatre through December 17, 2023.
Ruth E. Carter - December 15, 2023
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cecelia Sharpe speaks with award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter who will be at the Charles H. Wright Museum in Detroit on December 16, 2023 t...
Jader Bignamini - December 8, 2023
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jader conducts the DSO in music by Bonds, Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky this weekend. He spoke with Peter about the upcoming Florida tour, and Tchaikov...
Kris Johnson - November 13, 2023
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Linda Yohn host of 90.9's Swing Set talks to Kris Johnson, who is the director of the Paradise Theatre Big Band and is having a very special concert o...
Kevin John Edusei - October 18, 2023
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
90.9's Peter Whorf speaks with Detroit Symphony Orchestra guest conductor Kevin John Edusei about this week's program featuring a world premiere, a be...
Jader Bignamini - September 28, 2023
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
DSO Music Director Jader Bignamini opens the DSO season with violinist Gil Shaham and one of the instrument's most beloved works...
Sarah Calderini - September 21, 2023
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Calderini, Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra speaks with Peter Whorf about the symphony's 2023/2024 season which begins thi...
Nan Washburn - September 15, 2023
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's the 78th anniversary season of the Michigan Philharmonic and the 25th anniversary of the appointment of Music Director and Conductor Nan Washburn...
Patty Isacson Sabee - August 27, 2023
27 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this excerpt from "Live with C#" Cecelia speaks with Patty Isacson Sabee who will take the helm as President and CEO of Detroit Opera in 2024.
Thomas Wilkins - June 23, 2023
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cecelia Sharpe speaks with Conductor/Music Director Laureate of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, Principle Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and ...
Paul Watkins - June 23, 2023
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Peter Whorf joins Paul Watkins, cellist with the Emerson String Quartet and Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival Artistic Director. Watkins reflects on ...
Marquez, Charbonnier and Le San - June 2, 2023
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The recent release, Estampas Americanas showcases new music by Michigan State University composer Paola Marquez and contemporaries Mauricio Charbonnie...
Isata Kanneh-Mason - June 2, 2023
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Isata Kanneh-Mason joins the Detroit Symphony Orchestra this weekend as the soloist in Ernst Dohnányi's Variations on a Nursery Tune. She also has a ...
Brandee Younger - May 28, 2023
28 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this excerpt from "Live With C#" Cecelia Sharpe speaks with harpist Brandee Younger who performed at The Cube the night of May 28, 2023.
Julie Nagel - May 23, 2023
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Julie Jaffee Nagel has written a new book entitled "Career Choices in Music Beyond the Pandemic: Musical and Psychological Perspectives" and Dave ...
Jader Bignamini - May 3, 2023
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jader conducts the DSO this weekend in a program of Johannes Brahms, Carlos Simon and Beethoven. He stopped by our studios to speak with Peter about t...
Peter Phillips of the Tallis Scholars - April 19, 2023
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
They have been called 'The Rock Stars of Renaissance Polyphony" by the New York Times, and the Tallis Scholars, with their founder Peter Phillips, com...
Nathalie Doucet - April 4, 2023
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Nathalie Doucet is Head of Music at Detroit Opera. For the past weeks, she's been working with artists preparing for the company's upcoming run of Osv...
Christa Grix Feature - Maria Schneider
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A brief featurette about composer & bandleader Maria Schneider's work with soprano Dawn Upshaw and the Australian Chamber Orchestra based on the poems...
Christa Grix Feature - George Walker
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
George Walker, the first black recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in Music, worked tirelessly throughout his life, composing every day well into his 90’...
Christa Grix Feature - Jessie Montgomery
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In 2022, Jessie Montgomery was named the Mead Composer in Residence for the Chicago Symphony, receiving commissions to write 3 new orchestral works, a...
Jader Bignamini - March 23, 2023
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This weekend the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs Brahms, Coleridge-Taylor and Rachmaninoff. 90.9's Peter Whorf spoke with Music Director Jader Bi...
Regina Carter - March 17, 2023
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"Swing Set" host Linda Yohn speaks with legendary jazz violinist Regina Carter who is the recipient of 2023 NEA Jazz Masters Honors award. They speak ...
Na'Zir McFadden - February 26, 2023
26 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
90.9's Cecelia Sharpe spoke with Na'Zir McFadden who is guest conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's "Classical Roots" concert March 3, 2023. In ...
BLKBOK - February 10, 2023
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cecelia Sharpe caught up with Detroit Native BLKBOK to talk about his upcoming concert, the value of arts education, the importance of Classical music...
Leonard Slatkin - February 2, 2023
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
DSO Music Director Laureate Leonard Slatkin and his friend Garrick Ohlsson are back in town this weekend to performs Johannes Brahms’s mighty Piano ...
Douglas Bianchi & Anthony Wing - January 31, 2023
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The International Symphony Orchestra meets up with the Windsor-based band The Tea Party this Friday night at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Windsor. Then...
Roman Borys - January 27, 2023
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave Wagner talks with cellist Roman Borys of the Gryphon Trio who are in town to perform at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial with vocalist Patricia O'C...
Edgar Moreau - January 19, 2023
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cellist Edgar Moreau joins the Detroit Symphony Orchestra this weekend, playing Sergei Prokofiev’s virtuosic Sinfonia Concertante. 90.9’s Cecelia ...
Hilary Hahn - January 13, 2023
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Violinist Hilary Hahn’s newest release is entitled Eclipse. The recording features Antonin Dvorak’s Violin Concerto – which Hahn played with the...
Jonathon Heyward - December 8, 2022
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jonathon Heyward leads the DSO this weekend in works by Tania Leon, Felix Mendelssohn and Antonin Dvorak. Leon was awarded lifetime achievement recogn...
Dr. Elrod - November 20, 2022
20 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this excerpt from "Live With C#" Cecelia talks men's health with Dr. Roy Elrod, Physician and Chief of Staff at Detroit Medical Center and Detroit ...
Jader Bignamini - October 31, 2022
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
DSO Music Director Jader Bignamini leads the orchestra and soloist Daniil Trifanov this weekend in music of William Grant Still, Florence Price and Jo...
Christine Goerke - September 12, 2022
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Detroit Opera's Associate Artistic Director Christine Goerke speaks with Dave Wagner about the innovative upcoming season including this weekends The ...
Robert Franz - September 9, 2022
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Maestro Robert Franz begins his 8th season as Music Director of the Windsor Symphony as they begin their 75th concert season Saturday September 17th. ...
Sarah Calderini - September 7, 2022
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A2SO Executive Director Sarah Calderini speaks with 90.9’s Peter Whorf about the orchestra’s upcoming season. The ensemble will be conducted by n...