Sam Wisman
Production Director - 91.9 Classical KC / Backup Announcer - KCUR 89.3Sam started listening to jazz on his local NPR affiliate when he was just 13 years old, and his life as a musician and radio guy continues to intertwine. Son of a merchant and a classical musician, he came to Kansas City to attend the UMKC Conservatory. During school, he shelved a lot of records and played “drop the needle” at The Marr Sound Archives, working with KCUR’s own Fish Fry host Chuck Haddix. After graduating Cum Laude with a degree in Percussion Performance, Sam became a versatile fixture in Kansas City’s music scene. He hosted Jazz Afternoon on 90.1 FM KKFI for over 10 years, and currently hosts Jazz Across America - Kansas City on San Diego's KSDS Jazz 88.3. Sam lives with his family in Roeland Park, and has yet to measure the volume of his kids with a decibel meter — but he has thought about it.
Email him at samwisman@classicalkc.org.
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With new programming, Classical KC honors its mission to champion music as a vital community resource and to invest in generations of classical music audiences. -
With over 120 to his credit, John Williams is best known for his inspiring film scores, but he also composed substantial concert music. We’ll hear some of his non-film music as well as an “adventurous” excerpt from one of his most beloved film scores. -
There are many classical music fans whose passion for the music began as children in music lessons. For RadioActive raffle winner Kara Kezios, the love of the music has endured long after the piano lessons have stopped. Kara has curated an hour of great music to get in touch with the inner-piano-student in all of us. -
One of the world’s great pianists, Alfred Brendel, died on June 17, 2025 at age 94. He had elected to stop performing in public 17 years prior at age 77, but continued to be active as a lecturer and mentor at masterclasses. Two composers with whom he was particularly associated were Beethoven and Schubert, so in his memory both are represented on this episode. -
Just like highly trained musicians, sign language interpreters study music and lyrics, and train their bodies to bring performances to life at Kansas City’s concert halls, theatres and other events. -
Mozart’s music has been adapted in myriad ways – in his lifetime and to this day. We’ll hear two exquisite chamber works in different, but effective instrumentations that Mozart would probably have found intriguing. -
Czech composer Josef Suk, whose summers were always a time for composition, crafted a remarkable and substantial work inspired by summer. -
The search for school supplies, including the hunt for instruments, sheet music and private lessons, can be a dizzying experience, but there are many local businesses that simplify the process. -
Lord Byron’s dramatic poem "Manfred" inspired Peter Tchaikovsky to write a sweeping symphonic work based on what Byron called a “metaphysical drama.” The result is a massive tone poem that evokes all the emotions that the printed word could only imply. -
Franz Liszt was a piano superstar and a remarkable composer. His over 700 works included many demanding showpieces for his own international piano recitals. We’ll hear three of his very best.
