Spirited, Jazzy, Lyrical: A New Fanfare For NWPB’s Centennial
Listen to "On the air"
The following was originally published March 30, 2022.
From our very first broadcasts in December 1922, music has been an important, and popular, part of this station’s programming. Listeners were thrilled to hear music via the new medium of radio, so a partnership quickly developed between the station and the Washington State College School of Music. A Mason and Hamlin grand piano occupied a prominent place of honor in the middle of the recording studio. Music students and faculty alike were eager to perform on the air: vocal and instrumental solos, ensembles, even a banjo duet!
100 years on, the collaboration between NWPB and the School of Music continues.
Composer Greg Yasinitsky (right) coaches pianist Fabio Menchetti (left) through the new music. CREDIT: NWPB
On April 12, the WSU Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Danh Pham, will give the world premiere performance of “On the Air,” a work commissioned by NWPB and composed by Dr. Greg Yasinitsky, Regents Professor and former Director of the School of Music. The public is invited to attend the free concert Tuesday, April 12 at 7:30 in Bryan Hall Theatre at WSU Pullman, or to watch the livestream on the WSU Pullman Music YouTube channel.
While we eagerly await the premiere of the whole work, you can hear the musical themes composed by Dr. Yasinitsky and recorded by ensembles comprised of WSU faculty, students, and local musicians.
On the Air: Lyric Theme
WSU Palouse Trio (Christiano Rodriguez, violin; Ruth Boden, cello; Fabio Menchetti, piano)
On the Air: Spirited Theme
Fabio Menchetti, piano
On the Air: Spirited Theme
WSU Solstice Quintet (Sophia Tegart, flute; Keri McCarthy, oboe; Shannon Scott, clarinet; Martin King, horn; Jaqui Wilson, bassoon)
On the Air: Heroic Theme
WSU Brass Quintet (David Turnbull, trumpet; Ashley Swanson, trumpet; Martin King, horn; Sarah Miller, trombone; Turner Gray, tuba)
On the Air: Spirited Theme
WSU Jazz Northwest (Dave Turnbull, trumpet; Horace Alexander Young, alto saxophone; Greg Yasinitsky, tenor saxophone; César Haas, guitar; Jake Svendsen, piano; David Bjur, bass; Darryl Singleton, Latin percussion)
In the booth with WSU Recording Engineer David Bjur (left) and Greg Yasinitsky (right) CREDIT: NWPB
Related Stories:
Co-founders of a new Native American music festival prioritize education, creativity, and relationship
NWPB’s Anjuli Dodhia spoke to WSU professors, Drs. Melissa Parkhurst and Jacqueline Wilson (Yakima), about their upcoming Olsen Festival of native American Music. With Artist-in-Residence Connor Chee, the festival will be hosted on the WSU Pullman campus, November 12-23, 2024.
NWPB says goodbye to The Thistle & Shamrock
After over 40 years, the weekly Celtic music program The Thistle & Shamrock has come to an end. Fiona Ritchie, who has been the host and producer since she created the program in 1983, wrapped up her last program on September 30.
Bellingham Festival of Music welcomes new Artistic Director
Since 1993, musicians from around the country have gathered in Northwest Washington for the Bellingham Festival of Music. Co-founder and Artistic Director Michael Palmer stepped down from conducting duties in 2002, opening the door for a new leader of the orchestra. Enter Brazilian-born Marcelo Lehninger.
