The Schwartz Family Band consists of Papa Scott on guitar, sisters Samantha and Kitty on flute and cello, and brother Aaron on violin. The band will appear on the noon-time music series at the Mills Breast Cancer Institute in Urbana on Thursday, and they'll play live at noon on the Wednesday edition of "Live and Local." Also, Chester Alwes, music director of the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana, stops by to talk about the group's concert in Champaign this weekend.
Illinois Summer Youth Music is one of the most highly regarded and well-known musical programs of its kind, serving students from as young as sixth grade to graduating high school seniors. On Tuesday's edition of "Live and Local," we'll talk with David Allen and Joyce Griggs of the University of Illinois about the ISYM program, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary.
On the Monday edition of "Live and Local," we hear a concert by Chicago Chamber Musicians.
On the Friday edition of "Live and Local," we'll have the band Prairie Chicken Asylum live in our studio, previewing their barn dance in Urbana Friday night. The dance will raise funds for the The First Annual Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival, coming in September. Also, a special appearance by Nashville recording artist Jake McVey, bringing his "Pay It Forward" tour through our area.
Jim Pugh is a well-traveled trombonist now on the jazz faculty at the University of Illinois. Jim will be my guest on the Thursday edition of "Live and Local," along with a young trombonist from Japan, Eijiro Nakagawa, who has made a name for himself in the classical and jazz worlds.
On the Wednesday edition of "Live and Local," we'll feature a couple of upcoming events involving young people in our communities. My guests will be Robert Smith, a performing arts teacher at Booker T. Washington School in Champaign, where his students will perform Willy Wonka Kids on Friday; and Tricia Stiller, who co-directs the McLean County Diversity Project's Production of The Laramie Project in Bloomington.
Jean Redpath is a prolific recording artist and one of the definitive interpreters of Scottish traditional songs. Through her friendship with Julie Beyler, director of Champaign-Urbana's Chorale, she visits this area frequently. We'll have the privilege of her company and the pleasure of hearing her sing, live in our studio, on the Tuesday edition of "Live and Local." We regret that there is no archive available for today's show.
On the Monday edition of "Live and Local," we'll have a conversation with Milton Scott, director of the choral group Opus 24, about the group's upcoming concert in Decatur. Milt will be joined by pianist Jackson Berkey of Mannheim Steamroller, and his singer and lyricist wife Almeda.
On the Friday edition of "Live and Local," we have a real treat in store. Visiting banjo player Buddy Wachter, who appears with the Danville Symphony this weekend, will join us for conversation and a dazzling display of some serious virtuosity, live in our studio. Should be a fun start to a great musical weekend.
The Thursday edition of "Live and Local" will feature two events involving Champaign-Urbana arts organizations. The Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company will present a one-time-only concert performance of The Who's Tommy this coming Sunday, and the Champaign-Urbana Ballet will give performances this weekend of Cinderella, with music by Sergei Prokofiev.
