Community Voices

From spending wrongfully convicted time behind bars to spending time performing on stage, The Exoneree Band has more than music to give to the public. The Exoneree band is comprised of five men that spent a total of 92 years in prison. These men turn their situation to one where they can give back to their community and share their stories. 

More details at the Illinois Innocence Project.

The Sangamon Valley Civic Orchestra (SVCO) is hosting a romantic concert. David Platt, music director of SVCO stopped by the studio to share more about the concert. 

The Springfield Muni 2019 season is approaching and auditions are happening soon. Auditioning can be a nerve wrecking process, but Craig McFarland ensures attending their 2019 Muni Audition workshop will help combat the nerves.

This year the Muni will host two audition workshops one at 10 a.m. for children and another at 1 p.m. for adults on Saturday February 16.

More information on the Springfield Muni’s 2019 season here.

February is Black History Month. African Americans everywhere are celebrated especially those who made a difference in society.  

Have you ever thought about the influential people we do not hear about?

Fr. Daren Zehnle a priest of the Diocese of Springfield, IL and pastor of St. Augustine Church in Ashland stopped by the studio to tell the story of Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first African American priest in the United States of America. 

Austrian Organist Lukas Hasler and Mark Gifford Director of Music and Organist at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, sit down with Beatrice Bonner from Community Voices to announce the start of Lukas's United States tour. 

The number of news reporters has been declining for years – in print and broadcast, and markets of all sizes. One need only look at the Illinois State House Press Corps, whose numbers have dwindled from several dozen full-time, year-round reporters to a handful of credentialed journalists today, or the decreased size of local media news staff, to see the trend in our area.

What’s the impact on you - and the community? Research shows that fewer journalists mean less accountability of public officials. 

The Muni recently announced the shows for their 2019 season. The season features a brand new show, a focus on children, and more. Muni Board Member, Craig McFarland stopped in the studio and gave more information on what is to come. 

Find more infromation about the Muni's 2019 season here.

Extra Life is a national charity that holds 24 hour gaming marathons across the country. The charity mobilizes gaming enthusiasts to raise funds for children's hospitals while enjoying video and board games. 

For local gamers Ian McCann, Tony Anderson, and Ryan Capranica, the combination of their love of gaming and their want to give back comes together when they host their own annual Extra Life marathon. 

The midterm elections conclude November 6. Do you know what’s on your ballot? It's not a presidential election, so why does it even matter? What impact will your vote really have?

ADHD Productions is bringing "The Rocky Horror Show" to Springfield for the ninth year. 

Friday, September 7, Capital City Improv pits teammate against teammate in their Comedy Royale show at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. 

Carly Stroud, one of the founders of the group, says members of Capital City Improv will face off in different games. The winners will be decided by the audience. 

The show starts at 8pm and you can find tickets and more information here.

Susie Hultquist, the CEO and Founder of Spokin, left her job to develop and app that would help not only her own daughter, but people all over the world who live with food allergies. 

The app, Spokin, is a platform for users to share their experiences with food products, restaurants, and other businesses to make the world a more safe and navagable place for those who who have or care for someone who has food allergies. 

"Big River" brings the story of Huckleberry Finn to the Hoogland stage. 

Huckleberry "Huck" Finn, a young boy from Missouri, joins a runaway slave, Jim, as he attempts to travel north to Canada to flee his life as a slave. During their time together, Huck finds that many of his beliefs about slaves in the United States are wrong. He is told by the adults around him that to help Jim escape is to sin against God. 

Huck decides that he would rather be a "sinner" than abandon his friend. 

The Springfield Muni Opera holds special auditions for children every year to fill a handful of roles in their summer lineup of shows. 

The auditions bring out hundreds of kids, but former Muni president and current board member Mac Warren says the auditions always end with the "especially gut-wrenching" process of choosing who will and will not be cast. 

Last year, the "Muni Trolls" program, named after the popular movie, opened the door for young thespians to explore the world of theater even if they hadn't been cast in one of the four main shows.

Bringing a message of hope, happiness, and family to the stage, 'Annie' is set to make its fourth run at the Springfield Muni Opera starting August 3rd. 

Hello, I’m Sandro Garcia for the 2018 NPR Illinois PodCamp. While most musicians aim to be local stars, Springfield, Illinois resident, Isaac Edwards, has other goals. He does not really want to pursue fame, but wants to teach other people. 

Hello, I am Rohan Ramkumar for the NPR Illinois PodCamp.

Courtney Wick is a licensed professional counselor and art therapist at the Hope Institute. She’s also a local writer, artist, and performer in plays such as “Legally Blonde”. She is also currently the board president for the Springfield Area Arts Council and volunteers at lots of places such as the Animal Protective League and The Big Brother Big Sister foundation.

Hello, I’m Caleb Shuff for the 2018 NPR Illinois PodCamp.

Justin Blandford, is a superintendent and curator of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion, and lives in Springfield, Illinois. 

Hello I’m Nathaniel Hostetter for the 2018 NPR Illinois PodCamp.

Brian Ottwel is an Associate Judge for the seventh Judicial Court of Illinois for eight years.

Hello, I’m Riley Brown for the NPR Illinois Podcamp.

Scott Richardson is the Executive Director and owner of the Legacy Theatre in Springfield.

Hello, I’m Arnav Nagrecha for the 2018 NPR Illinois PodCamp.

John Wright is the director of the Henson Robinson Zoo. He is a graduate of Truman State University and has worked at various zoos and aquariums as a zookeeper, lead keeper, and general curator.

Written by Ken Bradbury and Robert Crowe, 'Distant Thunder' is the story of New Salem during Abraham Lincoln's days in the village; however, the show isn't just another Lincoln story. 

"Nothing against our 16th President, but in New Salem in those days, he wasn't the most interesting man in town!" Said writer Ken Bradbury, "Distant Thunder is a fun explanation of how Lincoln became Lincoln while he was in New Salem." 

Hello, I’m Madelyn Moore for the 2018 NPR Illinois PodCamp.

Lisa Clemmons Stott of Downtown Springfield Incorporated enjoys bringing the historical aspects of the city to life.

Nicolas Paz is the owner and chef at AZ-T-CA restaurant in Springfield. He grew up in Bolivia, which is a small South American country and came to America in 2001.

Hello, my name is Leo Page for the 2018 NPR Illinois PodCamp.

Jeremie Bailey shines a light on local, creative individuals with his podcast, Lincoln’s Legends. He is an enthusiast of Springfield’s artists, and their work.

Hello my name is Abby Stalets with the 2018 PodCast Camp.

Carly Shank is the Director (of Audience Development) at the Sangamon Auditorium in Springfield. She has worked there for 17 years. The purpose of the auditorium is to bring artists and performances to the area and to help the community.