CYSO: Gershwin’s Magic Key

This week on Introductions, an entire brand new album! Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras‘ flagship ensemble was chosen to be the first ever youth orchestra to record an album for Classical Kids Music Education. Classical Kids stages theatrical concert productions with actors and orchestras, telling stories of the lives and music of famous composers. Their latest production is Gershwin’s Magic Key, which is released as an album February 25, 2021. The CYSO Symphony Orchestra was recorded in Chicago’s Studebaker Theater in February 2020 with their music director Allen Tinkham. Actors Elic Bramlett and Leslie Ann Sheppard recorded their parts subsequently, and Paul Pement designed the SFX. In this episode of Introductions, Robbie Ellis interviews three musicians on the album: current CYSO violist Kimberly LaFranzo; then CYSO Concertmaster Ariana O’Connell; and the album’s head writer, music supervisor, and featured pianist William Robert Martin. Afterwards, we hear Gershwin’s Magic Key in its entirety. The podcast version of this episode is just the interview portion.

Om Podcasten

Introductions is WFMT’s weekly Saturday morning program that features talented pre-college classical musicians in the Chicago area. Soloists and chamber ensembles perform live in WFMT’s Levin Performance Studio. Large ensembles, including orchestras, choirs, and bands, are recorded at their home venues and broadcast at later dates. The program also features youth music competition winners. While many students who appear on Introductions pursue other careers, some have gone on to study music at some of the most prestigious music schools around the world and pursue careers as professional musicians.