“Live from Hochstein” Turns 50: A Legacy of Music, Community, and Connection

In the fall of 1975, as lunchtime crowds filled the streets of downtown Rochester, something special was happening inside the Central Presbyterian Church—now home to The Hochstein School. On November 12, flutist Glennda Dove and pianist Joseph Werner took the stage to perform “Musique de Paris,” a program of French works by Fauré, Poulenc, and Dutilleux. It was the very first performance in what would become one of Western New York’s most enduring musical traditions: Live from Hochstein.

Originally called Noontime at Hochstein, the concert series was organized by Hochstein piano faculty member Robert James, who envisioned free midday concerts that downtown workers could enjoy on their lunch breaks. After Hochstein relocated to its Plymouth Avenue location—conveniently close to downtown offices—the series found its rhythm, attracting steady audiences and community support.

Then, in January 1977, the concerts gained a powerful new partner: WXXI Classical, which began broadcasting the performances live on the radio. Listeners across Rochester could now enjoy the concerts in real time, thanks to host Simon Pontin and a small but dedicated technical crew. The broadcast element transformed the noontime performances into something larger—an inclusive, citywide celebration of music and community that reached an estimated 36,000 radio listeners in its first year.

That partnership has continued for five decades, making Live from Hochstein the longest-running live broadcast concert series in Western New York. Hosted today by WXXI Classical’s Mona Seghatoleslami, the series still captures the same magic that defined its earliest years—live, unscripted performances that connect artists and audiences in real time.

Since those first notes in 1975, Live from Hochstein has showcased a remarkable range of artists from Rochester’s rich musical community—faculty from Hochstein, Eastman School of Music, Nazareth University, and Roberts Wesleyan University, as well as ensembles like Musica Spei, Cordancia, and fivebyfive.

Over the years, audiences have been treated to performances by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Eastman Horn Choir, and winners of the David Hochstein Recital Competition, which honors exceptional young musicians from the Greater Rochester area. Annual favorites like Madrigalia’s “A Cup of Good Cheer” and Holiday Horns have become part of the city’s holiday soundtrack.

Today, the concerts continue to draw hundreds of in-person attendees and thousands of listeners online and over the airwaves. Each Wednesday at 12:10 p.m., the historic Hochstein Performance Hall fills with live music—from classical and chamber works to jazz-inspired programs—and the performances are broadcast live on WXXI Classical (91.5 FM) and WXXIClassical.org, with encore broadcasts at 10:00 p.m.

The Fall 2025 season marks a milestone—50 years since the very first concert and nearly as long since the first radio broadcast. The anniversary lineup reflects the same diversity and excellence that has defined the series from the start.

This season’s program includes:

The series remains free and open to the public, with donations benefiting Hochstein’s Tuition Assistance Program, ensuring that the gift of music remains accessible to all.

From its first broadcast in 1977 to its 50th anniversary in 2025, Live from Hochstein has become more than a concert series—it’s a living thread in Rochester’s cultural fabric. It bridges generations, celebrates community, and upholds Hochstein’s founding mission: to make high-quality music education and performance accessible to everyone.

As the applause fades each Wednesday afternoon and the “On Air” light switches off, Mona Seghatoleslami often turns to the audience with a smile and a simple gesture—a thumbs-up. It’s a small but powerful reminder that every performance, every listener, and every shared moment of music adds to the legacy of this extraordinary series.

Join us in celebrating 50 years of “Live from Hochstein.” Attend in person at Hochstein Performance Hall or tune in live on WXXI Classical 91.5 FM and WXXIClassical.org.

For more than three decades, Sidney and Barbara Sobel have been steadfast supporters of music and community at Hochstein. Since 1993, their generous underwriting has sustained the Live from Hochstein Broadcast & Concert Series, allowing audiences near and far to enjoy outstanding performances from our stage each week. We are deeply grateful for their enduring commitment to making great music accessible to all.