"From the Top"

To Be Produced

At Chandler Music Hall

'From the Top," which National Public Radio (NPR) says is "the most popular classical music program on the air today," will be recorded Saturday, Sept. 29 at Chandler Music Hall in Randolph before a live audience.

Hosted by pianist Christopher O'Riley and produced by NPR, "From the Top" features mostly classical selections from extraordinarily talented teenagers- or younger. All the performers must be pre-college.

Some of today's most famous musicians including violinist Midori, Bobby McFerrin, and bluegrass phenoms Bela Fleck and Mark O'Connor, appeared on the program early in their careers.

The hour-long show is broadcast by Vermont Public Radio Sundays from 6 to 7 p.m.

In addition to the performances, O'Riley conducts sparkling interviews with the young musicians and sometimes puts together pre-produced segments that might involve, for instance, unusual hobbies.

The "From the Top" taping session will be one of the headline events in the centennial program year for Chandler, which was dedicated Aug. 20, 1907.

Sponsoring the program is one of the biggest undertakings that Chandler Center for the Arts has ever organized, and certainly one of the most expensive, with a price tag of $20,000. Vermont Public Radio has proven a valuable partner.

The young performers and their chaperones will arrive in town Friday and be housed in the Maple Cake Farm B&B, while a large group of technicians will settle in for the weekend at a Berlin motel.

Even though the event hasn't been formally announced, there has been "lots of buzz," according to Chandler's Becky McMeekin.

"We had hoped to raise Chandler's profile through this project, and it seems to be working!" she commented.

In addition to requests for tickets (which are likely to be pegged at $40), there have been inquiries from musicians who would like to audition.

"From the Top" does like to take a certain number of musicians from the area where the show originates, but auditions are extremely competitive. Those interested may go to the VPR website at www.vpr.net.

Discussion about hosting "From the Top" has been ongoing for more than a year. The show's producer, David Balsom, visited Randolph in February to check out the facility, and the contract was inked.