Toledo SymphonyLAB™

We jump into the New Year with an all-American program, featuring Adolphus Hailstork's Three Spirituals for Orchestra and Samuel Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915 (featuring soprano Janinah Burnett). Finishing off the program is Antonin Dvořák's "New World" Symphony, which was written while Dvořák was living and working in the United States. Multiple Grammy winner and guest conductor JoAnn Falletta (pictured) joins us for a lively discussion of these works, her personal friendship with "Dolph" Hailstork, and her remarkable career and musical journey. Oh, and there's even a classical guitar quiz (before she was a world famous conductor, JoAnn Falletta was a guitarist). Photo: Cheryl Gorski

As we celebrate Easter, the Toledo Symphony makes available its monumental performance of Gustav Mahler's "Resurrection" Symphony from two years ago (streaming this weekend only at stream.artstoledo.com). We revisit that spectacular event – all the more potent under the current pandemic climate – which brought together outstanding vocal soloists with choirs from around the region. Also as an added bonus, we test our Easter trivia knowledge (both religious and secular) with the quiz of the day!

Singer/Songwriter and Toledo native Crystal Bowersox joins us on the phone to talk up her live streaming Christmas concert with the Toledo Symphony. Crystal reminisces about her hometown and shares how she raises awareness of important issues through her art. We also learn some interesting CB facts – including her "favorite" Christmas song (which may not be what you think!).

Matthew Killam, Chief of Community Outreach and Experiences for Toledo's Metroparks, joins us for a chat about the Toledo Symphony's Forces of Nature concert which celebrates the beauty of nature not only with music, but through multimedia presentations as well. We'll hear Matt's story and what led him to the Metroparks, plus the symbiotic relationship between nature and music as represented in this concert. Also, in keeping with our role as an "educational podcast," we'll test our knowledge of collective nouns, animal edition!

We can all agree that 2020 has been a year unlike any other! As we ring in 2021, we look back on the nuts and bolts decision the TSO has had to make while adjusting to the coronavirus epidemic, and sample some favorite moments from past episodes.

Musical endings come in all flavors: happy, sad, thrilling, pensive (and everywhere in between). As the old year concludes and we begin a new year, the TSLAB panel shares their favorite endings from the classical repertoire – and tells a few fun stories along the way.

We welcome special guest Mike Deetsch, Senior Director of Learning and Interpretation at the Toledo Museum of Art, as we delve into the TSO's Art & Music Collide program. TMA's new exhibit Rare and Wondrous: Birds in Art and Culture 1620-1820 informs the music on the program, and provides the inspiration for our discussion. Think you know your birds? Test your Ornothology 101 knowledge with our quiz of the day!

Guest conductor James Feddeck joins us to preview the TSO's upcoming streaming program King of Instruments, which features prominent works for organ (all performed by the magnificent Todd Wilson on the world-famous Skinner organ at the Peristyle). James (also an organist) gives us a glimpse into his backstory – complete with some fun stories – and we test our musical nickname I.Q. with the quiz of the day!

What do young budding musicians and Beethoven have in common? Well for one thing, they're both covered by this podcast. Special guest Rachel Schultz, TAPA Director of Education and Community Engagement, briefs us on the TSO Chamber Spotlight program featuring Young Artist Competition winners, and we take a deep dive (once more) into Beethoven as part of the TSO's modified Beethoven 250 festival. Also, we not only test our Beethoven 101 in the quiz of the day, but we brush up on our Rachel 101 in a bonus quiz about our special guest!

We celebrate TSLAB's 150th episode with a walk through memory lane (featuring contributions from "Dr." Lea Salonga and "Quizmaster" Erin Moran Wiley). Also, guest panelist Michael Lang from Toledo Ballet shares the scoop on his latest creation with the Toledo Symphony, Dancing Fairy Tales. And speaking of fairy tales, can you "pin the tale on the moral"? Find out with our quiz of the day!

We preview the TSO's upcoming streaming concert entitled Fantasy Music, with special guest Nancy Lendrim (TSO principal Harp). In addition to Nancy's backstory, we explore the concept of "fantasy" classical music in general, and test our Fairy Tale IQ with the quiz of the day!

We talk with two major artists as they prepare a triumphant return to Toledo: pianist Jon Nakamatsu and TSO Music Director Alain Trudel. Nakamatsu, Gold Medalist of the Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, talks about his several appearances with the TSO and what it's like to be returning to live performance after the 15-month hiatus imposed by the pandemic. We also roll out the red carpet for Trudel as he prepares to take up the baton once more with the Toledo Symphony, after a year's absence from the podium (physically, at least). Finally, taking our cue from Nakamatsu's Chopin performance with the TSO, we provide an immersive Frédéric Chopin experience with our quiz of the day!

The last time we had conductor/pianist William (Bill) Eddens on the program, the conversation covered everything from Daniel Barenboim and "play conducting" to craft beer and Mozart's piano concertos. Now Bill returns to perform on the podium with the Toledo Symphony with returning guest pianist Stewart Goodyear, and we're still talking about all those things and more (just swap Beethoven for Mozart!).

For our Memorial Day special we welcome Jacob Joyce, Associate Conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony and guest conductor for the TSO's Patriotic Pops concert. Jacob gives some backstory to his career as a violinist and conductor, plus we take a dive into the patriotic-themed repertoire on the concert (including our unofficial analysis of "The Star-Spangled Banner" vs. "O Canada"). As an added bonus, test your patriotic chops in our "Patriotic Pops" quiz about America's Founding Fathers (patriotic "pops"... get it?).

As the season (unlike any other) winds down, we give the last word to Beethoven and his Symphony No. 6, the Pastoral symphony. Also on the docket: American composer (unlike any other) George Antheil and his very pastoral Serenade for Strings. We take it a step further with our pastoral pop quiz, and – perhaps best of all – welcome TSO Music Director Alain Trudel back into the recording studio (live and in the flesh!) after a year of phoning it in under quarantine.

We preview the TSO's upcoming chamber program which contains Olivier Messiaen's remarkable Quartet for the End of Time. Written and performed while Messiaen was in a German prison camp during WWII, the quartet has two stories to tell: the Apocalypse as set forth in the Book of Revelations, and the perseverence of the human spirit in the face of unspeakable evil.

We preview the TSO's Postcards from Prague program, which includes music by Antonín Dvořák as well as Wolfgang Mozart. Joining us is Vinay Parameswaran, Associate Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra who makes a return appearance in Toledo to lead the concert. We hear Vinay's backstory, and explore the connection between Mozart and Prague – with a fun little "Prague or Not" quiz thrown in for good measure!

We take as our point of departure the upcoming All-American program from the TSO, featuring works by Aaron Copland, George Walker, and George Gershwin. Joining us by phone is pianist Michael Chertock, who solos in Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the symphony. In this wide-ranging conversation we hear about Michael's path to piano excellence, his prior experiences with Toledo, an odd job he held during his youth, and how to deal with hecklers. Also, in a podcast exclusive, we welcome TSO Music Director Alain Trudel back to the program to lend more insight into the music heard on the concert.

We welcome guest violinist Timothy Chooi to the program to talk about his career, his large social media footprint, and his appearance with the TSO in Prokofiev's 2nd Violin Concerto. Also, with three Canadians on the panel, we can't resist but offer up a Canada-themed quiz of the day!

We preview an upcoming concert from the TSO by welcoming principal clarinet Georg Klaas to the program. In addition to learning all about Georg, we delve into the history behind Mozart's use of the clarinet (Georg plays Mozart's clarinet concerto on the concert). Also, TSO Music Director Alain Trudel sheds light on Beethoven's first symphony (also on the concert), and how Beethoven used the clarinet in his orchestra. And as an added bonus, put your clarinet chops to the test with our clarinet pop quiz of the day!

Just in time for the TSO's Slàinte! concert, it's our St. Patrick's Day celebration – featuring guest conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez and TSO percussion guru Keith McWatters. Enjoy some fun music as we find out our "leprechaun" names, hear some behind-the-scenes stories from our panelists, and learn some interesting facts about the celebrated Irish holiday in our St. Paddy's Day Quiz!

Thanksgiving will undoubtedly be different for families this year, but even in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic our Toledo SymphonyLAB family finds much to be grateful for. This year we invite TSO principal flute Joel Tse to join us and share his favorite Thanksgiving foods and cooking techniques (Joel is the resident "foodie" of the symphony). We also delve into the history of the holiday and put our knowledge to the test with our Thanksgiving 101 quiz.

It's that time of year again! Taking our cue from the TSO's upcoming Christmas at the Peristyle concert, we dive into the holidays with a survey of the season, including a few of our favorite things. Find out who's been naughty and who's been nice, and check your Christmas 101 with our special Santa quiz!

Our point of departure for this episode is the TSO's concert on January 11, which features Stravinsky's Dumbarton Oaks concerto, Mozart's Symphony No. 40, and one of Haydn's most popular symphonies, No. 94 (which has a... "surprising"... nickname). Speaking of nicknames, we make up our own for the Mozart symphony, and try our luck at a Symphonic Nicknames Quiz. Come join us!

We take on one of the most difficult piano concertos in the repertoire, Rachmaninoff's Third - which is coming to the Peristyle courtesy of Van Cliburn gold medalist Olga Kern (pictured). Also, Pulitzer and Grammy-winning composer (and BGSU grad) Jennifer Higdon joins us by phone to talk about her Concerto for Orchestra, also on the program. And, while we have her on the line, we test our luck with a "getting to know you" quiz all about Jennifer and her music!

Wearing masks and socially distanced in the studio, we discuss how the TSO has adapted their 20-21 season to the pandemic and to preview the opening concert, Max Richter's magical recomposition of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Info on the TAPA streaming platform is at https://stream.artstoledo.com/

We preview the TSO's upcoming October-themed concert which includes a fun-filled performance of Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead, starring TSO resident thespian (and cellist) Bob Clemens. Bob makes a command appearance in our TSLAB version, The Composer is Dead... Again!, and we get a little insight into the Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra, which performs alongside the TSO in Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain. Oh, and don't miss our "Dead Composers" quiz - it's a killer!

We celebrate our 100th episode (!) with some of the most hilarious moments from our past three seasons, including Bernstein à la Shakespeare via TSO thespian Bob Clemens; pre-eminent conductor/pianist William Eddins' impression of Daniel Barenboim; our never-ending New Year's episode, and "Felecia's Kazoo" (enough said). Also, a never before heard blooper reel from our first season Messiah podcast with conductor Sara Jobin. Come join the party!

We welcome the TSO's new Marketing Director Vanessa Gardner to the fold, and put her through the paces as a TSLAB newbie. We hear Vanessa's "story" and how she came to work for the Toledo Symphony after spending time as a musician and arts administrator on the East coast and in Texas. We also get to know her (and her many nicknames) through a fun game of Twenty Questions (although we don't manage to get through all twenty!).

We take on a subject that strikes terror in every performer's heart: stage fright (or performance anxiety, to use the clinical term). Joining our esteemed panel is clinical psychotherapist Erin Wiley, founder of The Willow Center. Erin offers advice as we relate our own personal stories, and we learn some suprising facts in our quiz The Seven Bad Habits of Highly Successful Composers.

We take on one of the biggest performances of the season, Carl Orff's epic Carmina Burana. Featuring the TSO with choruses from BGSU, plus a community Children's Chorus, distinguished soloists, and dancers from Toledo Ballet, Orff's iconic setting of medieval poems is sure to prove a major spectacle on the stage. Test your literary knowledge in our extended podcast, which features a wheel-of-fortune quotes-about-fate quiz!

As the TSO prepares to launch their ongoing BTVN419 festival (to celebrate Beethoven's 250th birthday), we explore some of the music on this week's program, and take a deep dive into the personal and professional life of the great Romantic composer. Test your Beethoven 101 and learn some interesting facts about Ludwig van with our quiz of the week!

We celebrate Halloween with a trip through the magical world of Harry Potter and two special guests: TSO graphic designer Tamie Spears and 13abc's Tony Geftos. Inspired by the Toledo Symphony presentation of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ in Concert, we offer our own "Mad Libs" version of the plot, and shine the spotlight on Tony's own magical book, The Heart-Shaped Pox. Also, test your knowledge of local lore with our Haunted Toledo quiz!

It's that time of year again... time to announce the Toledo Symphony's new season! Join us for an extended preview of what exciting offerings await TSO audiences for 2020-21.

We're joined in the studio by our old friend Michael Lang from Toledo Ballet, for a light-hearted preview of the TSO's Gershwin Celebration, choreographed by Michael and his wife Lisa Mayer-Lang. Conceived partly as an artistic response to the pandemic, this glittering revue features some iconic Gershwin tunes performed live by Toledo Symphony musicians. More information about this streaming concert: https://bit.ly/36qfKWR

In this extended podcast, we explore the TSO's upcoming Brahms v. Radiohead concert – which mashes up Brahms's Symphony No. 1 with songs from Radiohead's iconic album OK Computer. The brainchild of conductor, composer, performer and all-around musical visionary Steve Hackman, this multi-media presentation both defies classical crossover stereotypes while providing a gateway to enjoy and appreciate both "sides of the aisle," as it were. Also, we play a game of "Who Would Win?" 90's style (1890s v. 1990s, that is!).

As Thanksgiving is upon us, we recognize and salute the volunteers who make the performing arts and nonprofit media run smoothly. We're joined by Kathy Scheer, who is president of the Toledo Symphony League, and Bill Brancheau, a long time volunteer for the TSO who currently volunteers for the music department at WGTE. Tune in and test your Voluteerism 101 with our quiz of the day!

It's time once again for a TSO holiday tradition: Handel's Messiah at Rosary Cathedral! We offer a rundown of what to expect, and welcome special guest Paul Monachino, Director of Music at Rosary, to share his experiences working in one of Toledo's most beautiful and sacred spaces. And speaking of sacred spaces, we put our knowledge to the test with our "Great Cathedrals in History" quiz!

We celebrate theToledo ballet's 79th annual Nutcracker with a visit from former "Mother Ginger," Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. Joining the Mayor is another member of the Mother Ginger club, TSO President and CEO Zak Vassar. Special guest (and SymphonyLAB veteran) Michael Lang from Toledo Ballet helps round out the panel. Besides all things Nutcracker, we talk mayoral favorite Beethoven and Toledo traditions - including our Toledo (Spain, that is) quiz!

We welcome a special guest, 11 year old news reporter sensation Jaden Jefferson, who turns the tables on us by interviewing Toledo Symphony cellist Damon Coleman. We also examine young Jaden's rise to fame and test our knowledge of his many exploits in our "Jaden Reports" Quiz!

We celebrate Christmas SymphonyLAB style, with a return visit from our Youth Advisory Council (i.e., our kids), and a survey of holiday traditions old and new – plus our favorite Christmas memories and stories from years past. Merry Christmas!

We ring in the New Year with predictions for 2020 from our esteemed panel, plus from guests Michael Lang of Toledo Ballet, star reporter Jaden Jefferson, and Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. Also, we check in on our New Year's resolutions from last year, and put our wits to the test with a 100-year predictions quiz!

Fresh off the TSO's 75th anniversary season, we look ahead to the next 75 years and make predictions about what the future will bring. Also, the Toledo SymphonyLAB Youth Advisory Council (a.k.a. "our kids") embark on a time machine to the year 2094, and we test our past/future knowledge with a "Great Predictions in History" quiz.

It's that time of year, as we present a "clip show" - featuring our favorite picks not just from this past season of Toledo SymphonyLAB but also from TSO performances during their 75th anniversary season.

In our final episode of Toledo SymphonyLAB, we once again dive into the music of Gustav Mahler - whose Third Symphony brings the TSO season to a close. Special return guest (and musicologist) Effie Papanikolaou shines light both on the man and the music, joining conductor Alain Trudel and Mahler enthusiast Zak Vassar (who also happens to be the TSO's President and CEO).

We preview and celebrate the upcoming season of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra as they mark 80 years of serving the community with great music.

We welcome warmer weather with a preview of the Toledo Symphony's chamber program, Summer Music. In addition to seasonal selections from Samuel Barber and Wolfgang Mozart, we learn all about a world premiere on the program, called Mojave Sketches for brass quintet and percussion. The composer, Navdeep Singh Galen, plus one of the performers, TSO Principal Tuba David Saltzman, give valuable insight to the work, which was inspired by the seven magic mountains art installation in California's Mojave desert.

We spend the hour getting to know Kerson Leong, who brings his violin to the Peristyle as soloist for Béla Bartók's Second Violin Concerto. Kerson leads us through the intricacies of Bartók's music, and recounts his early interest in the instrument (that is, after his parents discouraged Kerson's original choice, the double-bass - fearing transportation issues). And for our quiz of the day, we check in with Kerson's updated answers to the Violin Channel's Q&A (available on YouTube) from 2016.

As the Toledo Jazz Orchestra offers up its final performance of the season, we take the opportunity to examine the complex and virtuosic artistry of Toledo's own Art Tatum. We hear behind-the-scenes stories and marvel at Tatum's uncanny ability to transform simple melodies into one-of-a-kind showpieces for piano. We also uncover some fun facts which you may not know about Toledo's Jazz maestro in our quiz of the day!

We celebrate the return of superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma to the Peristyle with a full house of Toledo Symphony personalities, including special guest Amy Chang (who is also a cellist). Hear stories and get to know Yo-Yo Ma through our conversation (and "Quiz"-versation), as he's not only a performing artist, but a driving force in the effort to use music to address global issues. Also, not to be forgotten is Johannes Brahms, whose final symphony pairs nicely with Yo-Yo Ma's rendition of the Elgar Cello Concerto on the program. Find out what these seemingly disparate works have in common with each other!