Colleen Wheelahan

Oof. Just saw the typo in this. Stations also have editors 😆

To add: CPB dollars were already allocated. This isn’t just a cut: it’s rescinding money stations we’re counting on. A significant and in many cases existential threat to news and also music stations.

In addition to my morning show on SiriusXM, I’m also still the evening host on WUOL in Louisville, KY. This public station relies on local donors because CPB funds we received were already limited - for us, a big $ item was music licensing.

This is a good day to donate to a local station.

The latest in the newsletter (published 12 hours early!) is a little historical context for why anyone with a bit of music/arts history education is watching the Kennedy Center VERY closely. Read for free below.

After one day this is my most-read installation on the substack so far. I hope it makes you think, and maybe brings a little bit of brightness to your day.

The Dean of (Un)American Composers Aaron Copland: the common man

For obvious “state of the world” reasons, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to be an American, and more specifically an American musician. I found *some* answers lately in the life of Aaron Copland. Read about it at the link:

Reupping this with a photo of Andy Reed on the sidelines. It’s uncanny.

a cartoon character with the words oh yeah that ll work ALT: a cartoon character with the words oh yeah that ll work

He looks like if you asked him to do anything he’d just tell you “I don’t do anything.”

a cartoon of a pirate hat with a skull and crossbones on it ALT: a cartoon of a pirate hat with a skull and crossbones on it

Do you think he’s ever been to Boston in the fall?

Watching the chiefs/texans game… does anyone else think Andy Reed looks like Pa Grape from Veggie Tales?

For those who may be watching, here is the order of service for President Carter’s funeral. cathedral.org/wp-content/u...

Birkin Schwirkin And how classical music is no Veblen Good

The first Classically Colleen substack entry of 2025 features some notes classical music should take from the world of luxury fashion. open.substack.com/pub/colleenw...

Get it on your local classical station. If you don’t have one, borrow WUOL via @lpm.org /classical

If you’re not tuned in to A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (#9LC) right now you’re missing the real start of Christmas Eve. Every year with Daniel Hyde the choir at @kingscollege.bsky.social sounds better and better.

Tonight at 8pm ET on 90.5 WUOL Classical Louisville, tune in for my latest radio special, A Winter Wind Festival. Celebrating the season change with music for band. Ask your smart speaker to play WUOL, or tune in on the website.

Radio Special and book recommendations

Tomorrow (Friday 12/20) @lpm.org will air my latest special A Winter Wind Festival at 8pm ET. I hope you tune in either on your radio or streaming. Info about that, and book recommendations are in the last Classically Colleen substack of 2024. Read it at the link:

The Christmas Carol a quest for the perfect Christmas song - part 1

Fun facts about Christmas carols… part 1. This week in the substack. Read for free at the link.

What is your perfect Christmas song?

Such a great name for a trio

Count Down The Days Until Christmas With Our Musical Advent Calendar December tends to fly by once it gets going, and it's easy to skip right to the joy and wonder that the holiday brings. But there is a wealth of choral…

For those of you who celebrate the advent season through all the holly jolly of the Christmassy time of year, there’s a daily piece of music for you in this advent calendar.

Pantone gave us the color we deserve.

"When a cold wind blows it chills you... Chills you to the bone..."

Open my latest Classically Colleen newsletter for the advent music recommendation. Stay for the muppet gifs.

Wait, are we not supposed to have fun? Beethoven’s favorite food

Last week’s Classically Colleen newsletter entry included turntables, Shen Yun, and the serious business of orchestral playing. Read it before the next one arrives.

Took my 13yo thrifting to look for a sport coat and it took 5 minutes to find a perfect color and fit 😲. Spent the whole time in line telling him “it’s not usually this serendipitous” but is thrifting for men’s clothes possibly just easier?

This was a good read, even if I did always think that naming the kid Goofus was such an obvious setup for failure that his behavior shouldn’t be a surprise. https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2023/06/goofus-and-gallant-american-parenting-highlights/674536/

Ooh ⚾️🏟️ Geaux Tigers!

I’m as happy to be here as she is.