Hear the story behind the music at these free concert previews. Join us for our popular "Concert Conversations" offered one hour before the Saturday and Sunday concerts. Unless otherwise posted, the Saturday night "Conversations" are held in the Illinois/Ohio Rooms at the RiverCenter, with the Sunday sessions held in Larson Hall, in the Bergendoff Fine Arts Building on the Augustana College campus adjacent to Centennial Hall.Kai Swanson has been the host of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra's " Concert Conversations" since the 1996-97 season. In this capacity, he seeks to increase audience enjoyment of concert programs by providing insight into both the works to be performed and the artists featured in the concert. Kai is regularly joined for the "Conversations" by the guest conductors and soloists for the night's concerts.
A nearly lifelong resident of the Quad Cities, Kai graduated from Augustana College, where his studies included coursework in music appreciation with Dr. Janina Ehrlich, cellist for the QCSO. After graduating, he joined the staff of WVIK, the Quad Cities' public radio station, where his duties included serving as host of the Sunday Morning music program. Under the pen-name Michael Petri, he wrote a column on classical music for the former local music publication Oil.