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From the Studio: Ian Parker and the Spokane Symphony

This weekend is the final Classics series set of concerts for the Spokane Symphony's 2015-2016 season.  To finish with a bang, so to say, the orchestra will perform a dynamite program, including Ottorino Respighi's not often played Fountains of Rome (much more popular is his Pines of Rome), Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, and Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5.  Pianist Ian Parker, the guest soloist for this weekend's concerts, stopped by the studio for a bit to chat with Verne about his upcoming performances.  The Spokane Symphony will play this Saturday, May 7th at 8:00pm and Sunday, May 8th at 3:00pm at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox.

Verne Windham got his start at Spokane Public Radio 20 years ago. “I came in to complain and they hired me.” He’s now the Program Director, as well as the host of Morning Classical and Concert of the Week. When choosing music for Morning Classical, Verne likes to keep the agenda as broadly defined as possible. For Concert of the Week, he focuses on the best of recent local performances, mostly classical in nature. For many years, Verne was also the conductor of the Spokane Youth Orchestra. He enjoys gardening, his vintage car and playing French horn.