Meet Jieun Woo, Maestro Of Tomorrow Runner-Up

By Derrick Smith, Classics for Kids Intern

The last few months have been all about summer, sunshine, and for these young artists, strings! I had the honor of speaking to some of the Maestro of Tomorrow honorees and I'm glad to say that as far as classical music goes, our future is in good hands.

The purpose of the Maestro of Tomorrow contest was to highlight young local musicians and ask them to imagine their lives with music beyond high school. When asking Maestro of Tomorrow runner-up Jieun Woo about her future with music, it was obvious that this was only the beginning. She said that she “definitely planned on continuing orchestra in college and doing more ensembles like this trio” (referencing the Jieun Woo Trio comprised of Jieun, her younger sister, and church friend.)

Music has already taken a large role in these young adults' nonacademic lives in the form of private Zoom lessons, daily practices, and rehearsals. While all these take great discipline, what never ceases to amaze me is how music plays a pivotal role in people's social lives as well as a way to connect. With everyone being inside their houses for the better part of the past year, it is easy to forget how social of a thing music really is, and how it brings us together.

In my interview with Jieun Woo, she spoke about not being able to see her grandparents in person so as an alternative she would play for them over Zoom call. You can listen/watch more of my interview with Jieun Woo below.

Once again, I want to thank the Maestro of Tomorrow runner-up, Jieun Woo, for speaking with me. I'm excited to see where music will take not only our Maestro of Tomorrow contestants, but the new generation of musicians as well.

A Creative Celebration in Price Hill

By Derrick Smith, Classics for Kids intern

We may be running out of ways to state how hard the pandemic has been on everyone, but creative people will never run out of ways to come together and heal as a community. Classics for Kids and 90.9 Classical WGUC are proud to be part of the 6th Annual Price Hill Creative Community Festival, coming to the new ARCO event center at 3301 Price Ave. on Friday, July 23.

Don’t miss out on this family-friendly event, a celebratory staple in the Price Hill community, with music, art, activism, tours of the newly renovated ARCO building (a former Masonic Lodge built in 1912), food trucks, and more. Some of your favorite Cincinnati Public Radio personalities will be at the WGUC/Classics for Kids booth, with some fun giveaways and a chance to connect with listeners in person. How did we ever take that for granted?

WGUC has a history of supporting Price Hill Will programs and events, especially through their outstanding youth orchestra, MYCincinnati, which will be performing at the festival. This year’s event will also serve as the grand opening of the ARCO (Arts+Community) venue, and it’s the first Price Hill Creative Community Festival for Kate Query, WGUC’s new Community Events and Volunteer Coordinator.

“As a public radio station, it is our job to not only provide great classical music programming, but to also be involved and engaged with the communities we serve. At the Price Hill Creative Community Festival we have the opportunity to inspire the next generation of classical music lovers. How exciting is that? If we walk away with even just one kid who has found a new interest in music, that’s a success.”

So be sure to swing by, enjoy some of the live performances, hit the food trucks, and say hi to your Cincinnati Public Radio friends, as we strive to come together and lift one another in these trying times. It’s what creative communities do.

Event details:

The 6th annual Price Hill Creative Community Festival will be held 3-9 p.m. Friday, July 23, at ARCO, 3301 Price Ave. The event is free.

Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra Summermusik 2021: a Preview with Music Director Eckart Preu

By Elaine Diehl

Last year, our Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra delivered a bit of Music Therapy, or as Maestro Preu says they “lightened up the darkness a little,” with Summermusik.

Now they return to full in-person live concerts at outdoor events all over town with Summermusik 2021.

He tells us what we can expect this summer with the CCO and “a great big party:”

Reed Tetzloff: Schumann

By Elaine Diehl

As the world reopens for live music, Pianist Reed Tetzloff is back with his new record, Schumann.

Reed, a Cincinnati favorite, last performed in town in 2019, and he is happily rebuilding his concert and recital schedule.

He called to talk about the new album, available June 25: