“Quite simply, the arts are an invaluable tool in brain health, and we want to demonstrate that actively through the activities at the Brain Health Week," says Bonnie Pitman, Director of Art-Brain Innovations at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Center for BrainHealth. The center is presenting its 3rd Brain Health week, full of art-centric events to explore the intersection of creativity and the brain. Hear the details in this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: The Art of Brain Health

"For me, there’s actually a bit of an emotional attachment to it, because the very first concert I ever conducted with the Dallas Winds as a guest 32 years ago was a concert called 'Marches in March.' So, in a way, it’s coming full circle here," says Jerry Junkin, Artistic Director for Dallas Winds. They're presenting their "Marches Madness" concert on Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 in a program of... well, marches.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Jerry Junkin's full-circle march with the Dallas Winds

It's not every day that Dallas audiences have the chance to see the Santa Fe Desert Chorale perform in North Texas - and it's even more rare to hear them paired with the Orpheus Chamber Singers for a concert. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Artistic Directors Joshua Habermann and J.D. Burnett talk about the events that led to their upcoming collaboration, and what to expect in this rare opportunity to see two professional choirs join forces for a night of music.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Orpheus Chamber Singers & Santa Fe Desert Chorale unite for a special concert experience

The Dallas Bach Society presents their Baroque-Carnatic Connection Concert at the Moody Performance Hall on March 16, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. It will also include dancers from the New York Baroque Dance Company and the Silambam Houston Dance Company. Kurt Rongey got a chance to talk with James Richman about this unique collaboration.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: A new artistic exploration for Dallas Bach Society

Organist and composer Zvony Nagy describes the Stained Glass Vespers series at Dallas' King of Glory Lutheran Church as an intersection of fine arts within a spiritual, contemplative space. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Nagy talks about an upcoming event at the church, where he'll provide organ improvisations on the narration of "The Seven Last Words of Christ" during the Lenten season. 

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Intersecting art & faith through improvisational organ

"Go big or go home" was one of Bruce Wood's most frequently used expressions, and the company is honoring his legacy with their upcoming Texas-inspired gala concert. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, BWD Artistic Director Joy Bollinger gives a sneak peek into a night that'll include dancing, live music, rhinestones galore, and even real spurs.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Bruce Wood Dance is bringing the western bling for its upcoming gala

The Dallas Opera has announced its 68th season, which includes four mainstage productions, all new to Dallas as company or U.S. premieres. WRR's Amy Bishop recently caught up with Ian Derrer, TDO's Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO, for an overview of the season, which includes a version of Bizet's "Carmen" that may only be seen once in a lifetime. 

Dallas Opera announces 25-26 season, which includes a once-in-a-lifetime production of 'Carmen'

Nearing his 6th season as Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Luisi has reached a new level of oneness with the musicians, to the point of almost "reading each other's minds." In this conversation with WRR's Amy Bishop, Luisi joins DSO's Chief Artistic Officer Katie McGuinness for an overview of the organization's milestone 125th anniversary season for 2025-26.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: DSO's mastery of Mahler & mindreading

"There's all the things we love about opera, right? Lust, rage.... all the wonderful things that, of course, unfortunately, are still timely - but it's such a beautiful story and such a beautiful opera," says American bass Raymond Aceto, who will join the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in the role of Daland for an upcoming semi-staged production of Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman." In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Aceto explains why this performance with the Fort Worth Symphony will be a reunion with old friends.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: Bass Raymond Aceto returns with the FWSO for another Wagner warhorse

“This is my favorite time of year, because I know that we’re planting the seeds that will not only contribute to the economy here, but that will truly be changing lives for our residents and our visitors,” says Martine Philippe, Director of the Office of Arts and Culture for the City of Dallas. She recently spoke with WRR's Amy Bishop about the impact that Dallas Arts Month has on the city's arts ecosystem, and shared highlights of a couple of new initiatives in this year's celebration.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: What's new about Dallas Arts Month 2025?

Spectrum Chamber Music Society began when a group of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra musicians decided to get together and play chamber music for fun. Forty years later, they're still doing that for North Texas audiences. Perhaps their most ambitious feat is yet to come when they play a chamber ensemble arrangement of Mahler's Symphony No. 4, conducted by FWSO Music Director Laureate Miguel Harth Bedoya. In this feature with WRR's Amy Bishop, Spectrum's Dan Sigale tells the story of Spectrum and what has kept audiences coming back for four decades. 

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: The Art of Brain Health

Classical 101 WRR

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