Darel Snodgrass
Classical Music HostI began piano lessons at age 6, trumpet at age 9, and began teaching myself the guitar at 10. My electronics knowledge comes from my father, who had the RCA television and stereo shop in my hometown of Pocahontas, Arkansas for nearly 20 years. My dad is still fixing televisions at age 79.
I attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville as a music major, and worked weekend shifts at the U of A radio station (my first experience playing classical music on the radio). I spent a summer playing piano, guitar and bass at the defunct “L'il Abner”- based theme park Dogpatch USA, near Harrison, Arkansas. After a few years playing music professionally, I finished a BS degree in Radio/TV production at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
After another few years playing music in the Ozarks, I moved to Memphis with my wife. I’ve served as Operations Manager of WKNO-FM since 1988, and morning Classical Music host since 1994 – conducting more than 4,500 Checking on the Arts interviews along the way.
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St. John’s Episcopal Church presents its annual "Service of Lessons and Carols" on Sunday, December 14, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Opera Memphis, and Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group (CBTG) join forces once again for the annual "Christmas Fiesta," happening Saturday, December 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Dixon.
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Concerts International continues its chamber music season on Thursday, December 11, at Harris Concert Hall with hometown favorite Randall Goosby, performing alongside his Renaissance Quartet and frequent collaborator, pianist Zhu Wang.
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Tennessee Shakespeare Company (TSC) presents two regional premieres on the Tabor Stage, Friday, December 5, through Sunday, December 21, with "Christmas Gems," a family-friendly double bill featuring Dylan Thomas’s "A Child’s Christmas" in Wales and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle."
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St. Patrick’s Catholic Church will celebrate 160 years in downtown Memphis next year, and the parish is marking the milestone with “A Celebration with Music,” a series of 12 free Wednesday-evening concerts.
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Germantown Performing Arts Center's (GPAC) Executive Director, Parke Kennedy, spoke with Darel Snodgrass about upcoming events at GPAC.
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Darel Snodgrass spoke with Orpheum Theatre Group President and CEO Brett Batterson about several upcoming holiday events.
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Ballet Memphis’ annual production of "The Nutcracker" opens at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m., with additional performances on Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14.
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Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Chorus presents its annual performances of Handel’s masterpiece oratorio "The Messiah," with three concerts: Tuesday, December 2, at Germantown United Methodist Church; Wednesday, December 3, at Lindenwood Christian Church; and Thursday, December 4, at Maples Memorial United Methodist Church in Olive Branch. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
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The Memphis chapter of the American Guild of Organists and Luna Nova Music Ensemble present "An Evening of Reflection" on Monday, December 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, as part of the AGO’s monthly meeting.