'Top' taping

Wednesday, Jan. 11 — Classical music fans looking for a day trip this weekend might want to consider heading to Kalamazoo for a taping of National Public Radio’s “From the Top.” The program, hosted by renowned pianist Christopher O’Riley, will be recording an episode at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Dalton Center Recital Hall at Western Michigan University.

“From the Top” showcases performances by young musicians from around the country, but the producers didn’t have to look beyond Kalamazoo to find one of the guests for Sunday’s show: Pianist Marissa Uchimura, 17, is the daughter of WMU Professor of Cello Bruce Uchimura and staff accompanist Susan Uchimura. Marissa Uchimura is scheduled to play Sonata No.3 in A minor, Op.28, by Sergei Prokofiev.

The other performers at Sunday’s taping are:

Violinist Jackie Tso, 15, from Loveland, Ohio, performing the Polonaise Brillante No.1 in D major, Op.4 by Henryk Wieniawski, accompanied by O'Riley on piano.

Cellist Johannes Gray, 14, from Wilmette, Ill., performing "Capriccio" by Lukas Foss, accompanied by O'Riley on piano.

Tubaist Ben Darnielle, 17, from Rochester, Ill., performing II. Hornpipe and IV. Bourre from Suite for Tuba by Gordon Jacob, accompanied by O'Riley on piano.

Percussion Scholarship Group Duo Eric Goldberg, 16, and Shuya Gong, 17, both from Chicago. They’ll perform “Udacrep Akubrad” by Avner Dorman.

Tickets to the taping (which should run about 90 minutes) are $25, and can be purchased through the “From the Top” website at www.fromthetop.org/radioshow-tour. The episode is scheduled to air the week of Feb. 6.