Suzanne Bona
Sunday Baroque Host and Executive Producer, WSHU Music DirectorSuzanne Bona is the host and executive producer of Sunday Baroque, a syndicated weekly radio show of Baroque and early music. She originated the program in 1987 on WSHU Public Radio in her hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut. Sunday Baroque has been distributed nationally since 1998, and is currently heard by more than 400,000 listeners every week on approximately 288 public radio stations and networks across the United States.
Suzanne is also a classically trained flutist who earned her Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Connecticut. She performs frequently as a soloist and chamber musician, and has especially enjoyed collaborating with some of her musically talented public radio colleagues in performances for listeners in Connecticut and New York, coast to coast in the US, and twice in Guam! Suzanne is a member of the Sylvan Trio, with pianist Greg Kostraba (a radio colleague) and cellist Josh Aerie. Their recordings include the 2020 album, MUSIC FOR FLUTE, CELLO AND PIANO BY WOMEN COMPOSERS, featuring music by Clara Schumann, Lili Boulanger, Princess Anna Amalia of Prussia, Judith Lang Zaimont, Mel Bonis, and Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee.
When she is not making radio or playing her flute, Suzanne’s hobbies include reading, running, cooking, baking and traveling. She is also passionate about the cause of literacy, and is on the Board of Directors of Literacy Volunteers on the Green in New Milford, CT.
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On this Independence Day holiday weekend, Sunday Baroque is celebrating some of the terrific musical ensembles across the United States. Some highlights include Houston-based Mercury Baroque … Philadelphia’s Tempesta di Mare early music ensemble … and New York’s Orchestra of St. Luke’s. It’s on Sunday Baroque this 4th of July weekend, Sunday starting at 7 am on 91.1, 107.5 and our music stream. -
Khari Joyner is a Renaissance man … AND he’s a man very much of our time. The talented cellist has multiple degrees in music AND math. He loves baroque music AND he’s a champion of contemporary works. He’s also a philanthropist who uses his musical gifts to support several charitable organizations. You can hear him give a gorgeous performance of 17th century cello music on Sunday Baroque this weekend. -
New Zealand-born composer and educator Matthew Suttor’s passion for music began when he was a small child. Throughout his career he has explored many facets of music making, with a particular interest in computer music and, now, the use of AI in music and as a creative catalyst. -
Caroline Shaw is a Grammy-winning composer, singer, and violinist whose early inspiration came from her Suzuki-teaching mother and local public radio in Greenville, NC. She spoke with Suzanne about her genre-crossing career—from Pulitzer-winning compositions to scoring projects for TV and film. -
June is “National Rivers Month” – an occasion to focus on the environmental health and importance of rivers. This weekend you’ll hear some of Georg Philipp Telemann’s music celebrating the Alster River in Hamburg, and 17th century melody that was used as the basis for a VERY famous 19th century composition about a river. It’s on Sunday Baroque this weekend. -
Caroline Shaw is a Grammy-winning composer, singer, and violinist whose early inspiration came from her Suzuki-teaching mother and local public radio in Greenville, NC. She spoke with Suzanne about her genre-crossing career—from Pulitzer-winning compositions to scoring projects for TV and film.
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Can you imagine the pressure of growing up in the BACH family?? Johann Sebastian Bach carried on a tradition that was nurtured by his father, uncles, cousins, and other ancestors. The musician also had several children who followed in his footsteps, and some achieved great success. -
Dancing was an important part of the culture in the baroque era, and the French King in particular loved dancing. One of his court musicians, Jean Baptiste Lully, contributed to a huge collection called CHOREOGRAPHY, and his music is among the highlights on Sunday Baroque this weekend. -
June is the annual celebration of National Rose Month. It’s an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the many varieties of roses, and to explore their beauty and their symbolism of love and friendship, passion and desire, beauty and elegance. -
Eric Milnes is a professional instrumentalist and conductor who is also deeply committed to teaching and to fostering amateur talent. Eric Milnes spoke with Suzanne about his many musical projects.
