Voice of the Arts

Remembering Exploring Music Host Bill McLaughlin

Episode Summary

Bill McLaughlin, Peabody Award-winning host of Exploring Music, passed away yesterday, July 23rd. To remember and honor him, WQED-FM would like to share a 2013 interview with Bill, in which he joins Jim Cunningham in celebrating 10 years of Exploring Music.

Episode Notes

Bill McLaughlin, Peabody Award-winning conductor, composer, and longtime host of Exploring Music, passed away yesterday, July 23rd. To remember and honor him, WQED-FM would like to share a 2013 interview with Bill, in which he joins Jim Cunningham in celebrating 10 years of Exploring Music

Bill talked about preparing for the program and his intention to create a space where listeners could discover classical music. He also remembered his time as a trombonist in the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1969-1975 and told stories about working with William Steinberg and touring with the orchestra in Japan.

Bill went on to conduct and host Michigan Public Radio's Saint Paul Sunday program and began hosting WFMT's Exploring Music in 2003. He and Jim discussed the current state of classical music---Bill believed there are more people listening to classical music today than at any time in history.