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While driving down an East Texas country road I spotted this scene. The autumn trees and the late afternoon sun made these golden bales of hay shine just a little bit more. Fortunately I had my camera with me. (c) James Q. Eddy Jr.
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From the Top Podcast Tile
From The Top
Friday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

From the Top features the astounding performances and captivating personal stories of extraordinary classically-trained young musicians from across the country. Broadcast on more than 220 stations nationwide to an audience of nearly half a million listeners, From the Top is the most popular one-hour weekly syndicated classical program on public radio. Click this link to learn more about From The Top.

  • Band Room to Recording Studio
    Today’s episode is dominated by instruments you’d find in a high school band room and many of our featured teen artists discovered their love for performing through school music programs. We meet a tuba player and a trombonist who followed their passion to Interlochen Arts Academy and a percussionist who is at home in front of the marimba.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
  • Composer Jessie Montgomery and more Black Voices in Classical Music
    Composer Jessie Montgomery joins us as we continue our celebration of Black From the Top alumni and their contributions to classical music. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
  • Black Voices in Classical Music with Alex Laing
    Guest Host Alex Laing joins for a celebration of Black artists in classical music. We’re catching up with From the Top alumni who are making waves in the field.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
  • Musicians from Rural America: Violin and Banjo
    A 15-year-old violinist introduces us to his charming coastal community of Damariscotta, Maine and a talented young banjo player brings us into her musical home in the foothills of Leicester, North Carolina. Co-host/violinist Tessa Lark draws on her own childhood in Kentucky as she reflects with Peter Dugan on the stories and performances of these talented young musicians from rural communities. Don’t miss the videos of each hometown visit at fromthetop.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
  • Musicians from Rural America: Louisiana to California
    We meet a teen violinist down by the bayou in Monroe, Louisiana, travel to the rolling farmland of Redlands, California to the home of a driven young guitarist, and hear from a young composer who enjoys the support of his community in Fargo, North Dakota. Co-host/violinist Tessa Lark speaks about her own upbringing in Eastern Kentucky as she reflects with Peter Dugan on the experiences of these talented young artists from small towns. Don’t miss the videos of each hometown visit at fromthetop.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
  • Chopin Cello Sonata & Vivaldi Bassoon
    Our 25th birthday celebration continues with a dazzling performance of Chopin by a gifted 16-year-old cellist. We are treated to a performance of Vivaldi by a young bassoonist and witness a life-changing surprise. Peter sends us off with a flashback performance from when the legendary Paquito D’Rivera appeared on the show.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
  • Gershwin, Fiddle, & the United States Air Force Band’s Heritage Winds
    It’s From the Top’s 25th birthday! We meet a 13-year-old violinist who is equally accomplished in classical repertoire and fiddling. A 16-year-old pianist from New York performs a brilliant Beethoven Sonata and talks about her incredible experience in publishing. Finally, we reconnect with From the Top alum Yuna Langehennig and learn about her journey to becoming an Airman First Class in the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band. She brings along her ensemble Heritage Winds and they perform a rousing work by Paquito D'Rivera.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
  • More Renowned Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Alumni
    We are celebrating the 20th year of our Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award and reconnecting with some musical stars who received the Award as teens. We’ll meet the executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and catch up with a world-renowned opera singer and an Avery Fisher Career Grant winning-pianist.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
  • 20 Years of Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Awards and Accomplished Alums
    We're celebrating our 20-year partnership with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and hearing how the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award has empowered young musicians with financial need. We’ll meet two past recipients: a violinist/arts leader who has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for young artists of diverse backgrounds and a lauded concert flutist who is also passionate about education and access.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
  • Classical Guitar, Sax Quartet, & More
    We meet an award-winning saxophone quartet from Texas. A teen flutist who is also a talented figure skater performs Faure. An impressive 16-year-old performs a piece by a guitarist/composer who inspires him, and a violinist from Hong Kong studying in Los Angeles tells us about how a letter from a stranger impacted his life.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy