Musician, educator and composer Bill McGlaughlin, host of the popular radio program Exploring Music, has passed away at the age of 82.
News of his death was shared by his partner, jazz musician Karrin Alyson, with whom he has co-hosted B&K Cafe on WWFM The Classical Network since 2020. "It is with deep sorrow that I announce the passing of my beloved partner, Bill McGlaughlin. In this season of grief, I am grateful for your kindness, your prayers, and the privacy to honor a life deeply loved and forever remembered," she wrote on Facebook.
McGlaughlin has hosted Exploring Music since 2003. The daily program, produced by Chicago-based WFMT, dives into the many facets of classical music and its artists, with each week devoted to a particular theme. His broadcast career began with St. Paul Sunday, a Peabody Award-winning program which welcomed a wide variety of musical guests each week. The program ran from 1980 to 2007.
"We'll miss him as the passionate, warm and engaging founder and host of Exploring Music," said Alice Weiss, WWFM Station Manager. "Our listeners always enjoyed his ability to connect with them in the shared experience of exploring and loving music."
McGlaughlin received his Bachelors and Masters of Music at Temple University. His professional career ranged from performing as a trombonist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and conducting positions including as Associate Conductor of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and music director at the Eugene Symphony, Tucson Symphony, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra and Kansas City Symphony. As a composer, McGlaughlin has written works for full orchestra and chamber ensembles, including Surveying Lake Wobegon, Solstice: A Fantasy on Old English Carols, and Remembering Icarus.
In December, WFMT announced that singer and educator Peter van de Graaf would replace McGlaughlin as host of Exploring Music. The former host of WFMT's Beethoven Network programming for nearly 40 years, van de Graaf is scheduled to begin hosting the series the week of August 24.
Exploring Music can be heard on The Classical Network weekdays at 7 pm. B&K Cafe next airs Friday July 24 at 6 pm.
