Contact: Robin Allen LaPlante
617-437-0707 x103, rlaplante@fromthetop.org
16-YEAR-OLD YORKTOWN PIANIST TO APPEAR ON
NPR’s FROM THE TOP
Episode airs nationally and on WHRO Classical the week of October 1
16-year-old pianist William Hume will appear on an upcoming episode of From the Top, the hit NPR radio program featuring America’s best young classical musicians and hosted by acclaimed pianist Christopher O’Riley. This special episode celebrates the stories and performances of children of American military families. Taped before a live audience at the Military Child Education Coalition Conference in Grapevine, Texas on June 27, the show will air nationally the week of October 1 and on WHRO Classical October 6 at 7:00 pm.
From The Top Scrapbook – Show 256 Military Child Coalition
William Hume (piano), 16, is from Yorktown, Virginia. His Army father recently returned from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan and is currently stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia. William is a junior at York High School and studies music with Dr. Anna Kijanowska at The College of William and Mary. He is currently the pianist in the York High School Symphonic Band and accompanies the chorus. William performed the Brahms Rhapsody Op. 79 No. 1 for the show. In addition to piano, he also plays the cello, earned a varsity letter in cross-country track, and plays basketball.
Taped at the annual conference of the Military Child Education Coalition in Grapevine, Texas on June 27, the NPR broadcast features young musicians performing and speaking with host Christopher O’Riley. The honorable General Martin E Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was on hand at the dress rehearsal of this special episode to greet the musicians and their families and speak about the important link between music and the military. A short interview with the General and host Christopher O’Riley is included in the broadcast.
Also on the broadcast: 18-year-old violist Devon Naftzger, whose father is an Air Force veteran; 17-year-old harpist Clarissa McLaren from the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium where her father serves in the Air Force Reserves; 18-year-old clarinetist Dominic Giardino whose Navy father was stationed in Key West, Florida and recently retired and moved to Rochester, New York; and Pershing’s Own Woodwind Quintet from The United States Army Band, which includes From the Top alumna Staff Sergeant Elizabeth McGinness (who appeared on the program when she was a teenager).
For the past decade, From the Top has been the preeminent showcase for America’s best young musicians. Through award-winning NPR and PBS programs, online media, a national tour of live events, and education programs, From the Top shares the stories and performances of pre-collegiate musicians with millions each week.
From the Top is made possible by support from US Trust and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. It is also supported through the generous contributions of individuals and institutions as well as public radio stations.
From the Top on NPR is produced in association with WGBH Radio Boston and New England Conservatory of Music, its home and education partner.
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For a complete listing of repertoire and performance photographs, please contact
Robin Allen LaPlante at rlaplante@fromthetop.org or 617-437-0707 x103
Please visit www.fromthetop.org for more information.