Suzanne Bona
Educational Background:
I attended the excellent public schools - kindergarten though high school - in my hometown of Fairfield, CT. As a teenager I took private flute lessons from a couple of different teachers in New York City. Then, I earned my Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Connecticut in flute performance, and I continued private flute studies at Yale University with Thomas Nyfenger.
Professional Background:
I started in radio in 1987 at WSHU in Fairfield when I was still pursuing a performance career, but the "radio bug" bit and became a pivotal part of my life and career. I was underwriting director and learned radio as a weekend board operator till WSHU's program director told me to "play Baroque music" on Sunday mornings for 90 minutes between two network programs. Sunday Baroque was born. I became program director in 1988, and stayed there until 1996, when I became producer/music director for WGUC Cincinnati. In 1998, NPR syndicated Sunday Baroque, and I left to work on the program full time.
How did you become interested in classical music?
My parents loved music and it was always playing in our home. Ballet lessons from age 5-9 and flute lessons beginning at age 8 solidified my personal interest in music.
Book you are currently reading?
I recently completed Vikram Seth's novel An Equal Music and NY Times Magazine Ethicist Randy Cohen's book The Good, the Bad, and the Indifference. Right now I'm reading Jonathan Franzen's novel The Corrections, with occasional detours into J.S. Bach: The Learned Musician. Next book in line on my nightstand is The Undiscovered Paul Robeson, a biography of the late musician/athlete/scholar/activist, written by his son.
Favorite piece of music?
Gosh, only one- I adore Bach's Double Violin Concerto- especially the tender middle movement- as well as Bach's Mass in b minor, and just about any French Baroque ballet music, particularly Jean-Philippe Rameau. But Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto and ballets, Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring, Leo Delibe's Coppelia ballet, and Bela Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra are all very special to me. Plus, I'm a huge fan of anything Spanish- ranging from Baroque music to contemporary music.
CD currently in your player at home?
The Harp Consort's recent CD called Missa Mexicana features 17th century Latin American music- very appealing and exotic! Also, Chatham Baroque's Espanoleta always finds it way back into the CD player, because the music and the playing are infectiously upbeat.
Childhood dream job?
There were many. Before I became seriously involved in music I thought of a career in law or psychology. From about age twelve until post-college, when I fell in love with radio, I planned, practiced, and studied for a fulltime career as an orchestral flutist. Now I have the best of both worlds. I still play my flute professionally, while working on a radio program I truly love.
Most memorable interview or moment on the show for you?
Perhaps the most intense experience was when a listener described her friend's peaceful passing after a long illness. He was surrounded by his loved ones, with Sunday Baroque playing in the background. This friend wanted a play list to recreate the moment for the memorial service, because she said it was such an important part of that experience. I still get choked up thinking about it- music is so powerful and meaningful, and can connect with people on such a deeply personal and spiritual level.
For playlists and more information, visit the Sunday Baroque Web site.
Educational Background:I attended the excellent public schools - kindergarten though high school - in my hometown of Fairfield, CT. As a teenager I took private flute lessons from a couple of different teachers in New York City. Then, I earned my Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Connecticut in flute performance, and I continued private flute studies at Yale University with Thomas Nyfenger.
Professional Background:
I started in radio in 1987 at WSHU in Fairfield when I was still pursuing a performance career, but the "radio bug" bit and became a pivotal part of my life and career. I was underwriting director and learned radio as a weekend board operator till WSHU's program director told me to "play Baroque music" on Sunday mornings for 90 minutes between two network programs. Sunday Baroque was born. I became program director in 1988, and stayed there until 1996, when I became producer/music director for WGUC Cincinnati. In 1998, NPR syndicated Sunday Baroque, and I left to work on the program full time.
How did you become interested in classical music?
My parents loved music and it was always playing in our home. Ballet lessons from age 5-9 and flute lessons beginning at age 8 solidified my personal interest in music.
Book you are currently reading?
I recently completed Vikram Seth's novel An Equal Music and NY Times Magazine Ethicist Randy Cohen's book The Good, the Bad, and the Indifference. Right now I'm reading Jonathan Franzen's novel The Corrections, with occasional detours into J.S. Bach: The Learned Musician. Next book in line on my nightstand is The Undiscovered Paul Robeson, a biography of the late musician/athlete/scholar/activist, written by his son.
Favorite piece of music?
Gosh, only one- I adore Bach's Double Violin Concerto- especially the tender middle movement- as well as Bach's Mass in b minor, and just about any French Baroque ballet music, particularly Jean-Philippe Rameau. But Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto and ballets, Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring, Leo Delibe's Coppelia ballet, and Bela Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra are all very special to me. Plus, I'm a huge fan of anything Spanish- ranging from Baroque music to contemporary music.
CD currently in your player at home?
The Harp Consort's recent CD called Missa Mexicana features 17th century Latin American music- very appealing and exotic! Also, Chatham Baroque's Espanoleta always finds it way back into the CD player, because the music and the playing are infectiously upbeat.
Childhood dream job?
There were many. Before I became seriously involved in music I thought of a career in law or psychology. From about age twelve until post-college, when I fell in love with radio, I planned, practiced, and studied for a fulltime career as an orchestral flutist. Now I have the best of both worlds. I still play my flute professionally, while working on a radio program I truly love.
Most memorable interview or moment on the show for you?
Perhaps the most intense experience was when a listener described her friend's peaceful passing after a long illness. He was surrounded by his loved ones, with Sunday Baroque playing in the background. This friend wanted a play list to recreate the moment for the memorial service, because she said it was such an important part of that experience. I still get choked up thinking about it- music is so powerful and meaningful, and can connect with people on such a deeply personal and spiritual level.
For playlists and more information, visit the Sunday Baroque Web site.