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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The PRIZM Ensemble will hold its annual “Summer Camp and International Chamber Music Festival” from Monday, June 1, through Wednesday, June 6, at a new location: Balmoral Presbyterian Church.
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The Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) season concludes Sunday, May 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Overton Park Shell with the annual "Sunset Symphony."
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The 10th Annual Foundry Invitational and River Exhibition (F.I.R.E.) for foundry and casting artists takes place May 14–17 at the Metal Museum.
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The Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) concludes its Classic Accents concert season for 2025-2026 with a performance on Friday, May 15, and Sunday, May 17.
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Concerts International concludes its 2025-2026 season with flutist Tara Helen O'Connor and guitarist Jason Vieaux on Friday, May 15, in Harris Concert Hall at the University of Memphis (UofM).
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Celebrated violinist Vijay Gupta was scheduled to perform with Iris Collective back in January, but the concert was postponed due to the weather. The concert has been rescheduled for Friday, May 8, as the conclusion of the On Stage with Iris Collective series at Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC).
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The "American Revival" is coming to the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center with a new traveling festival of hope and connection, created by filmmaker Nicholas Ma, and featuring music by Arrested Development, T Bone Burnett, Valerie June, and Yo-Yo Ma.
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Ballet Memphis celebrates its 40th anniversary with the 2026-2027 season.
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The Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) concludes its Masterworks season on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, with "America's 250th Birthday Orchestral Celebration."
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Director Kaylea Jo Egnor discusses the University of Memphis Theatre & Dance production of "The Night Witches," based on the true story of an all-female Soviet bomber regiment during World War II.