The Muse in Music - Michael O'Neal and Reece Windjack on Building Community through Choral Music

By, Dan Perttu

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.

The Muse in Music - Larry Loh on Living Composers, Film Scores, and Audience Connection

By, Dan Perttu

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.

The Muse in Music -- Stephen Gunzenhauser on his Career as the Fifth Most-Recorded American Conductor and the Inspirations behind his Work

By, Dan Perttu

Please join me as I talk with Stephen Gunzenhauser, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Endless Mountain Music Festival and former Music Director of the Lancaster and Delaware Symphonies, about his long career and its unique focus on the classical music recording industry. Maestro Gunzenhauser is the fifth most-recorded American conductor, having recorded for Naxos and other labels. He also tells of how he worked with orchestras behind the Iron Curtain before the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. We discuss various sources of inspiration in his work as well as how new music fits into his programming, particularly now at the Endless Mountain Music Festival. Please join us!

Photo by LNP Newspapers