Illinois Public Media

Music

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Prairie Performances: Music Beyond Worlds

On this week's “Prairie Performances,” celebrate the excitement of the Artemis II mission as host Mel Miller brings the final frontier to the prairie frontier, exploring music inspired by the world beyond our own. This out-of-this-world program includes Richard Strauss’s "Also Sprach Zarathustra," excerpts from Joseph Haydn’s "Il Mundo della Luna," Gustav Holst’s "The Planets," and for more contemporary tastes, Hayden Mesnick’s "Drone Piece." 

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WILL FM

Atomic Age Cocktail Party
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The Music of Antonio Carlos Jobim (162)

Coming up on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, the spotlight is on bossa nova great Antonio Carlos Jobim. We look at his vast catalog of standards and how artists of the…
Classic Mornings
Evening Concert

The Evening Concert on Illinois Classical

Music by Villa-Lobos, Franck, Lavista, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Salonen, Mozart, and others

WILL AM

News Local/State
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Behind The Mic: Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield sees being on-air as a theatrical performance

When Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield isn’t live over the airways, she reports and produces arts and entertainment news happening in Central Illinois.
News Local/State
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Behind The Mic: Education reporter Emily Hays loves connecting people through her stories

From covering school districts, politics, campus news, and more, Illinois Public Media reporter Emily Hays is a versatile journalist who loves keeping it local.
News Local/State
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Behind The Mic: Agriculture/Environmental reporter Abigail Bottar views her work as public service

Abigail Bottar joined Illinois Public Media in early March 2026 as our Agriculture/Environmental reporter after six years at Ideastream Public Media in Ohio.

WILL TV

Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 6 - March 2026

We introduce you to the art of Brian Dettmer, get a special performance from hip-hop duo Mother Nature, and visit with quilter Millie Sorrells, who shows us creativity has no…
News Local/State
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Behind The Mic: Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield sees being on-air as a theatrical performance

When Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield isn’t live over the airways, she reports and produces arts and entertainment news happening in Central Illinois.
State of Change

The state of the Illinois Prairie

State of Change 2025 looks at efforts to retain existing prairie in Illinois, as well as strategies to restore some areas to a more natural state.