To celebrate their 50th anniversaries WVIA Radio and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic commissioned a new piece of music and presented a world premiere concert.

Based on an Italian folk tale, Palma tells of a young girl facing adversity who finds consolation playing the violin, a tribute to the transformative power of music and the arts. The music was composed Dr. Paul Salerni, the National Endowment for the Humanities Distinguished Chair in the Humanities and Professor of Music at Lehigh University, with lyrics and narration by the renowned poet and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Dana Gioia.

Join concert narrator Erika Funke and other special guests for a sneak preview of Palma before the TV premiere April 18.