At the end of my shift, each night for the past 15 years, I’ve handed the airwaves off to Bill McGlaughlin, hosting Exploring Music at 7pm.
You may have heard him on public radio for decades before this “new” show, as the host of the long-running program St. Paul Sunday. I’d grown up listening to that program each week on the radio, with live chamber music performances and conversations with musicians.
While McGlaughlin’s gentle, thoughtful voice was a familiar rhythm to me, his presence on the radio really became something special to me as I listened to Exploring Music, first on West Virginia Public Radio, and then here each evening on WXXI in Rochester.
Working late, I’d listen to Bill McGlaughlin’s stories and musical connections and wry comments, while reshelving the CDs from my show, fixing playlists, and other end-of-day tasks. I have learned more not just about music, but about Rochester specifically from him!
When the tenth anniversary of Exploring Music opened up the opportunity to interview McGlaughlin back in 2013, it was exciting and a bit intimidating. At that point, I had been at WXXI for less than two years.
It was a remote interview, over a fancy phone line known as an ISDN, so it sounded like he was right there in the room with me. He was immediately so warm, and encouraging, sharing a sense of just loving and having fun with what we get to do as music radio hosts. He has a wealth of experiences to share - as a conductor, composer, and performer - and most importantly: someone who loves listening to music.
Now, Bill McGlaughlin is retiring - hanging up the headphones on this chapter. The show he created, Exploring Music, will continue on, hosted by another long-time musical storyteller: Peter Van de Graaff. I know he will have even more musical explorations to take us on. It is bittersweet. I wish Bill all the best in his retirement, but I will miss hearing his voice each evening. And I’ll always treasure this conversation we had - which I’ll share with now here online.
Thank you, Bill, for all the music and stories and fun.
