Photo by Tatiana Daubek
Gail Wein has a unique perspective in the music industry: A view from the other side. A classical music critic for The Washington Post, radio host and producer for NPR national programs, and writer of liner notes for a triple-Grammy winning CD, Ms. Wein thoroughly understands the inner workings of media and the personalities who make editorial decisions.
Gail Wein’s writing experience extends far beyond the conventional press release. She has written feature articles for Playbill, Symphony Magazine, and New Music Box; liner notes for a half-dozen recordings, and concert program notes. She has worked as a radio host in classical, Triple-A and classic rock formats in major markets and national networks. As producer of Performance Today, a nationally-broadcast public radio program heard by 1.5 million listeners each week, Ms. Wein worked with individuals in every arm of the business, including performers, composers, venues, festivals, recording engineers, artist managers and record labels. Her work as producer of the national public radio program America’s Music Festivals built on that experience, furthering her professional network.
Gail's diverse career path includes a long stint as a computer programmer and actuary. Her tremendous interest in new music led to a position as executive director of Voices of Change, the Dallas-based contemporary chamber music group. She is executive director of Orli Shaham’s music education program Baby Got Bach, and serves on the board of directors of a regional orchestra. An early enthusiasm for radio was fueled by involvement at her high school radio station, and at WHRW-FM at Binghamton University, where she studied bassoon and earned degrees in music and mathematics.
Ms. Wein launched Classical Music Communications, Inc in 2008, working with classical artists to get the word out about their career and their projects. In addition to her publicity and communications writing, she also creates custom content for clients’ websites, including articles, interviews and blog posts. As an experienced interviewer for radio and print, Ms. Wein can anticipate journalists’ questions, and therefore can effectively prepare clients for excellent interviews. A regular on the NYC concert scene, Ms. Wein has written a monthly column of classical concert recommendations for the Club Free Time website, covers contemporary classical music for Sequenza 21 and other publications and is a member of Music Critics Association of North America (MCANA).
Ms. Wein was awarded an NEA Fellowship in Arts Journalism in Classical Music and Opera and was selected to participate in the League of American Orchestra’s Essentials of Orchestra Management. She has served on the jury for Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition and Washington International Piano Artists Amateur Competition.
