Prairie Performances: New Beginnings
On tonight’s archive episode of Prairie Performances, we’re starting off the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s new semester with music centered on new beginnings.
Prairie Performances
with Mel Miller
Thursdays at 7 pm on FM 90.9
Prairie Performances: Re-visiting Our Summer Concert Special
On this special episode of Prairie Performances, we welcome composer, pianist, and theremin player Joy Yang to the studio to discuss her recent performance at WILL’s very own Campbell Hall. Previously Aired on WILL 90.9 Classical FM Thursday, July 24th 2025.
Prairie Performances: Jazz
Tonight, we’ll explore a taste of what the Illinois jazz scene has to offer, what local artists are creating and listening to, and how to find jazz performances in your hometown!
A Look Back: Classically Black
This week’s episode of Prairie Performances is an homage to Classically Black, a WILL radio program highlighting the contributions of black artists to classical music. Classically Black was produced by the now-retired Classical FM host, Roger Cooper, whose voice some listeners may already be familiar with.
Meet Melissa Bialecki Miller
Please join us in welcoming Melissa (Mel) Bialecki Miller to the Classical 90.9 team. Mel joins us as the next John Frayne Classical Music Graduate Student Fellow. “I’m excited for this opportunity to bring classical music to the local community,” she said. “My background is in academia, and what I’ve always found most rewarding about that work is education and outreach. Whenever I see a student enjoy a genre of music they might never have engaged with before, or realize something new about a piece they already enjoy, that’s when I feel I’ve really done my job. Working with WILL feels like a natural extension of that work. I love talking about music, I love telling stories, and I’m looking forward to learning to do all of that through the medium of radio.”
A Special Presentation of Prairie Performances
Classical FM presents a special presentation of Prairie Performances showcasing the Collins Studio Performance Series from April & May 2025. Please join us Thursday July 24th at 7pm on WILL 90.9 Classical FM.
The Fantastic Flute with Julia Escobar
Our first John Frayne Classical Music Graduate Student Work Experience fellow, Julia Escobar, guest hosts this very special Prairie Performances, curated by her and featuring the fantastic flute.
August 4, 1964
Originally commissioned in honor of the centennial of the birth of 36th U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, focusing on the events of this particular day.
Saint Matthew Passion
Start Easter weekend with this performance featuring Sinfonia da Camera, the Central Illinois Children’s Chorus, the University of Illinois Chorale, and the UI Oratorio Society.
Music of Titans
Our month long celebration of Composer Stacy Garrop continues with a fascinating movement that traces the progression of this frightening mythological figure from “gorgeous” to “Gorgon.”
