Classical 91.5 Welcomes New Afternoon Host

Classical 91.5 Welcomes New Afternoon Host

Upon the retirement of long-time afternoon host Mordecai Lipshutz, WXXI-FM conducted a national search to find the best talent to musically guide Rochester listeners through the world of classical music, and into the future. Candidates from coast to coast applied for the position - one of a very few live hosted positions available in the country at an all classical station. After reviewing dozens of applications and listening to hours of audio submissions, we found Classical 91.5's next host right in our own back yard.

Eastman School of Music graduate Chris Van Hof had taken the reins of the shift on a temporary basis in March, after having Chris Van Hofan internship at WXXI-FM as part of the Arts Leadership Program at the Eastman School. Immediately listeners embraced his fresh approach and his natural presentation and passion for the music he loves.

But classical music is not his only passion. Chris is a trombonist who listens, loves and performs all kinds of music. He is a founding member of the Emerald Brass Quintet, and lead trombonist and arranger for his New Orleans style funk/rock band, the PoBoys Brass Band. He is a substitute trombonist for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed with the Syracuse Chorale Orchestra, Gregory Kunde Chorale Orchestra, Mercury Opera Theater, Eastman Wind Ensemble, Greater Rochester Jazz Orchestra, Rochester Broadway Theater League, Kalamazoo Civic Theater and Kalamazoo Big Band, as well as number recitals and school ensembles. He also has brass students at the Eastman School, Hochstein School of Music, Charles Finney School and many private students. In addition, the day he accepted the full-time position at WXXI-FM, he also accepted a position as adjunct professor at Nazareth College.

Please stop by the WXXI booth at the Clothesline Arts Festival on Saturday, September 6th between 1 and 4 pm, or plan to come on down to the WXXI Open House on Saturday, September 27th between 10 am and 2 pm and meet Chris.