WXXI and the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

are pleased to bring the hit public radio program From the Top to the Callahan Theater at Nazareth College on Sunday, January 20, 2008. The program, hosted by internationally renowned pianist Christopher O’Riley, will feature five young musicians from Rochester, plus three teens from Maryland, Illinois and North Carolina. This live-to-tape segment is slated for broadcast on March 16, 2008 at 5 p.m. on
WXXI-FM 91.5/90.3/FM HD 91.5-1 and public radio
stations across the country.

And the five local musicians selected for the Rochester performance are:

Will Cho, 18, a violinist from Rochester
Kieran Hanlon, 17, a violinist from Canandaigua
Michael Sabatka, 18, a violist from North Chili
Stephen Ryck, 18, a cellist from Penfield
Harvest Zhang, 15, a pianist from Rochester

Cho, Hanlon, Sabatka and Ryck – all RPYO musicians – will perform as the Compass String Quartet (photo above). The Compass Quartet is a scholarship ensemble at the Hochstein School of Music and Dance, coached by RPO violinist Patricia Sunwoo. Zhang, a pianist, is a student of Harriet Zimmerman at the Eastman Community Music School.

Roughly 30 local teens musicians were considered for the Rochester From the Top show, along with hundreds of applicants from a national pool.

To read the full press release, click here

Young Musicians Take it “From The Top” - coverage on 13wham.com (Video)

"The From The Top Tickets are SOLD OUT"

More about the Show
From the Top showcases America’s best young classical musicians hosted by acclaimed pianist Christopher O’Riley. Recorded in live concert settings in concert halls around the U.S., the weekly series captures the top-notch musicianship, offbeat humor and insights of America's best classical musicians, pre-college between the ages of 8 and 18. High-profile performers such as Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Bobby McFerrin have appeared to talk about their musical influences and the development of their careers, and to perform with the young artists. From the Top airs Sundays at 5 p.m. on Classical 91.5/90.3. Visit the From the Top website.

For More Information
Please contact WXXI-FM Program Director
Ruth Phinney at 585.258.0332.