A new partnership between Cincinnati Song Initiative and Cincinnati Public Radio will bring world-class live vocal music directly into homes across the region – and beyond – starting this fall.
Beginning in September, CSI’s Mainstage concerts will air live on CPR’s classical station, 90.9 WGUC, marking a major milestone for both organizations.
Cincinnati Song Initiative, a nationally recognized nonprofit founded in 2015, promotes and innovates the genre of art song – classical music set to poetry – through intimate live performances. CSI has presented concerts across the country, featuring local, national and international artists, and earned the Ovation TV and Spectrum Stand for the Arts award.
The collaboration, timed with CSI’s 10th anniversary season, gives a broader audience the chance to experience the power and intimacy of the art song genre.
“We couldn’t be more excited to usher in Cincinnati Song Initiative’s second decade with a fresh and completely unique format,” said CSI Artistic Director Samuel Martin.
“The enthusiasm and collaborative spirit with which we have been met by the team at Cincinnati Public Radio has been humbling,” he continued, “and we look forward to working together in pursuit of creatively connecting communities in Cincinnati and beyond through the power of song.”
Bringing live classical performances to Cincy homes
Cincinnati Public Radio – which operates WGUC, 91.7 WVXU and 88.5 WMUB – serves the Greater Cincinnati region with NPR and BBC programming, local news and classical music. It has long broadcast partners like the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera and May Festival.
But this new partnership marks the first regular live broadcast series for WGUC, according to Richard Eiswerth, the network’s president, general manager and CEO. Each performance will include a CPR host offering insight and context for the evening’s repertoire.
Beyond the broadcasts, all concerts will welcome live audiences at CPR’s new Scripps Family Center for Public Media on Dana Avenue in Evanston.
“With the inauguration of our new broadcasting studios, we’re excited about this opportunity to have a live studio audience as part of the concert series, along with people listening from home,” Eiswerth said.
Jenell Walton, CPR’s VP of content, said CSI’s innovative programming and community presence made the organization a natural addition to the station’s cultural offerings. CSI will announce 2025–2026 season details, including dates, programs and artists, later this summer.
“We believe our listeners will enjoy the exceptional music performed and have the chance to hear it live as it happens,” she said.
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