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.
Introductions | WFMT
Claim This Podcastby WFMT
5.0(9 reviews)
47 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
26
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality18
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement85
Podcast Overview
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.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/14/2023
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26
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality18
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement85
5
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11
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excellent
Episode Length
44 minutes
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3.0/5
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Recent Episodes
October 4, 2025
2025 CSO Young Composers Initiative
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Negaunee Music Institute and mentor Jessie Montgomery took six young composers and guided them through workshops of new pieces throughout the year. The Young Composers Initiative culminated in a concert featuring fellows of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago as performers.<br /> Two of the composers have previously appeared on WFMT:<br /> – Sylvia Pine performed as a violinist on Live from WFMT <a href="https://www.wfmt.com/2025/05/12/rachel-barton-pine-violin-and-sylvia-pine-violin-with-matthew-hagle-piano/">in May 2025</a>;<br /> – Clara Frantzen was featured in two Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Introductions episodes: as a violinist and composer <a href="https://www.wfmt.com/2025/07/12/chicago-youth-symphony-orchestras-class-of-2025/">in July 2025</a> and as an interviewee about Lollapalooza <a href="https://www.wfmt.com/2025/08/23/chicago-youth-symphony-orchestras-at-lollapalooza/">in August 2025</a>.<br />
September 20, 2025
LIVE | Elle Cho, 16, violin
Today we hear from 16-year-old violinist Elle Cho. She plays Bach, Beach and Tchaikovsky with pianist Milana Pavchinskaya.<br /> Elle Cho began violin studies at the age of three and is a Fellow at the Music Institute of Chicago Academy, a training center for advanced pre-college musicians. As a winner of the DePaul Concerto Competition, she made her solo debut at age eight with the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago. Since then, Elle has been a prizewinner in numerous competitions and was awarded the prestigious Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship in recognition of her artistic excellence.<br /> She has performed in masterclasses with leading artists including Martin Beaver, Midori, Ani Kavafian, Rachel Barton Pine, Boris Garlitsky, Yair Kless, James Ehnes, Vadim Gluzman, and Ilya Kaler. Elle has also participated in renowned summer festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival, the Bowdoin International Music Festival, the Heifetz International Music Institute, the Encore Chamber Music Institute, Musica Mundi, Mozarteum Summer Masterclasses, and the Menton Summer Festival.<br /> A dedicated chamber musician, Elle is a member of Quartet Meraviglia, which was awarded Bronze Medal at the 2024 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the 2024 St. Paul String Quartet Competition, and the Grand Prize at the Chicago National Chamber Music Competition. She currently studies violin with Almita Vamos.<br />
September 6, 2025
Porphyrion String Quartet and The Hemingway Quartet
This week, two string quartets from the Music Institute of Chicago Academy play Haas, Dvořák, Brahms, Prokofiev, and a double helping of C major Haydn.<br /> Some players have previously appeared on Introductions:<br /> – Mingshi Xia and Simon Updegraff played with Trioscuro <a href="https://www.wfmt.com/2024/09/21/the-purple-hippopotami-and-trioscuro/">in September 2024</a><br /> – Simon Updegraff additionally did a live solo recital <a href="https://www.wfmt.com/2023/11/11/live-simon-updegraff-16-cello/">in November 2023</a><br /> – Lucy Wu has been broadcast in previous Academy chamber groups <a href="https://www.wfmt.com/2024/11/09/three-academy-string-quartets/">in November 2024</a> and
47 total episodes available
Recent guests on Introductions | WFMT
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Lily Yoshihara
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Jacob Cornejo
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Henry Auxenfans
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Jesse Perez
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David Roche
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Diego Dahle
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Sarah Morris
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Spizella Quartet
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Luscinia Trio
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Vermilion String Quartet
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- What is Introductions | WFMT?
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This podcast updates bi-weekly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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