My Funny Valentine
STEVE “The Whistler” HERBST performs “My Funny Valentine”. February 14, 2026.
A Christmas Present From Steve
STEVE “The Whistler” HERBST performs “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire” with piano accompaniment by Matthew Martin Ward. December 9, 2023.
Steve whistles an Autumnal Favorite
At the October 11, 2025, Spotlight On YOU Open Mic at 53 Above Broadway, NYC, NY, Steve “The Whistler” Herbst performs the seasonal favorite, “AUTUMN LEAVES”.
Steve whistles a “Summertime” Favorite
At the July 12, 2025, Spotlight On YOU Open Mic located at 53 Above Broadway, NYC, NY, Steve “The Whistler” Herbst performs the Gerwin seasonal favorite, “SUMMERTIME”.
A Blast From The Past For The Kids
In the Show and Tell and Run episode (edited) of Nickelodeon’s animated kids’ show Wallykazam!, which aired September 9, 2017, the catchy tune We’re Whistling takes center stage. The fun twist? The whistling voice of Norville the Dragon is being performed by none other than Steve The Whistler! It’s a toe-tapping, whistle-blowing moment that brings some extra magic to the episode.
Steve’s Latest Media Interview
Dave Lefkowitz chats with
STEVE “THE WHISTLER” HERBST
Segment aired Dec. 31, 2024, as part of the annual Daverhood New Year special edition of the “Dave’s Gone By” radio/video podcast program hosted by Dave Lefkowitz.
In A New York Minute:
An Unexpected Magical Moment
On Monday, April 1, 2024, Steve attended the “standing room only” debut concert by Molly Lewis, the performer who whistled for the “Barbie” movie, at the Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan. At one point, near the end of the concert, she announced, “We have a celebrity present tonight; Steve ‘The Whistler’ Herbst is here!”*
Molly then asked Steve if he’d like to give the audience a ‘sample’ of his virtuosity and handed him the microphone. Steve took the mic and said, “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to warm up!” but then immediately proceeded to whistle the introduction to “Rhapsody In Blue” by George Gershwin to the astonishment of the audience, who were taking photos and shooting videos of Steve’s magical and impressive performance!
*While still a child, Molly’s mother gave her a copy of Steve’s CD, “BROADWAY and BEYOND”, which she discovered she could whistle to. Molly also had the opportunity to see the internationally award-winning, feature-length documentary film, “Pucker-Up – The Fine Art of Whistling,” which Steve inspired and stars in, which also inspired her to further develop her whistling talent.
Steve introduced the premiere of “Pucker-Up–The Fine Art of Whistling” at the Black Bear Film Festival in Pennsylvania. The documentary went on to win awards at film festivals all over the world! Next, it was only available on Netflix for 5 years; however, you can now view this delightfully entertaining movie for FREE on YouTube.com!
And Now For Something Completely Different
Steve “The Whistler” performs as a featured soloist singing with the University Glee Club of NYC singing “Set Down Servant” at their Winter Concert at the Jazz Center/Rose Hall at Lincoln Center on Saturday, January 6, 2024.
When Steve Was The Big Surprise
Steve was the surprise guest on ABC-TV’s hit show, To Tell The Truth. The episode aired on Sunday, July 18, 2021.
Appeared with Host Anthony Anderson and the Celebrity Panel featuring Lil Rel Howery, D.L. Hughley, and Joel McHale plus Mama Doris!
VIDEO SONG TITLES
1. MEMORY – from CATS
2. NESSUN DORMA – from Puccini’s Turandot
3. CLARE DE LUNE – by Claude Debussy
4. THE CHRISTMAS SONG (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
by Robert Wells & Mel Torme
5. BRING HIM HOME – from Les Miz
6. RIVER SONG – by Roger Emerson
STEVE “THE WHISTLER” HERBST
was the
“Featured Guest Artist”
at the WINTER CONCERT of the
MENDELSSOHN GLEE CLUB
OF NEW YORK CITY
December 14, 2021
The Episcopal Cathedral of the
Good Shepherd, NYC
“Steve has made whistling into an art form.”
Dino Anagnost
Musical Director, Little Orchestra Society
Biography
Steve Herbst has been dazzling audiences with his artistic whistling for over 60 years. A remarkable three-octave range on his “instrument” matches his enormous stylistic range, which encompasses classical music, jazz, blues, pop, and Broadway. His virtuosic control of pitch and powerful lyricism combine to produce a rare quality of expression among musicians at large, let alone whistlers in particular. Steve has been named to the Whistlers’ Hall of Fame — the highest honor to be accorded to any whistler.
At the 2002 International Whistlers Competition held annually in Louisburg, North Carolina, Steve won the International Grand Champion Prize, placing first in the classical category and second in the popular music category, a testament to his enormous versatility. At both the 2003 and 2004 Convention, Steve was awarded the prize of North American Champion as well as the coveted title, “International Whistling Entertainer of the Year” – the most prestigious award in this entertainment venue, which he won again in 2005 for an unprecedented third time.
These awards acknowledge not just his competitive excellence, but his winning international acceptance for this musical art form wherever he performs. Some of the concert halls Steve has performed in include Carnegie Hall (NYC), Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center (NYC), Town Hall (NYC), The Kennedy Center (Wash. DC), and as far away as Osaka, Japan. Additionally, Steve’s performances also include clubs, churches, festivals, as well as television and radio media. Steve truly lives his motto, “Whistling is an idea whose time has returned!”
Born into a musical family and inspired by his father who played several instruments, sang, (and was himself a very good whistler), Steve began whistling as a young boy, practicing, as any serious young music student would his or her instrument, to develop range, tone, and quality.
Already performing as a singer at age 7 (frequently to audiences of 1000 or more), he started whistling in concerts while a singing soloist with the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club, often called upon to simulate flutes and recorders, once performing for visiting royalty. In fact, listeners often say they “can hear singing” in his whistling.
Pedestrians in the crowded streets of Manhattan have been known to follow him for blocks a la the “pied piper,” drawn by his music. For those unfamiliar with this unusual, so-called “lost” art form, set any preconceived notions aside, and enjoy!
“Steve Herbst has won every prestigious award at the International Whistlers Convention and Competition including
International Grand Champion (judged for highest marks in Classical and Popular Music Categories), he was the first to be named International Whistling Entertainer of the Year three times, and Steve was also named to the Whistlers Hall of Fame (the highest honor a Whistler can be accorded; Bing Crosby was also awarded the same honor).”
Media
PERFORMANCE VIDEOS
PHOTOGRAPHS
INTERVIEW: Meet Steve Herbst, the New Yorker Who Whistles for a Living
INTERVIEW: Discussing the film “Pucker Up – The Fine Art of Whistling”
INTERVIEW: Steve performs some of his favorite Christmas music
PUBLICATIONS
“Whistling is an idea whose time has returned!”
Steve “The Whistler” Herbst
BROADWAY and BEYOND
Now available, due to popular demand, the debut recording of 15 hit tunes from top Broadway shows and beyond, from a heartwarming “Les Miz” medley to a stunningly beautiful rendition of the timeless classic “Danny Boy”!
The CD includes: I Dreamed A Dream, Castle On A Cloud, Bring Him Home (Les Miserables); Maria, One Hand One Heart, I Feel Pretty, Somewhere (West Side Story); We Kiss In The Shadows (The King and I); Summertime (Porgy and Bess); All The Things You Are (Very Warm For May); This Nearly Was Mine (South Pacific); I Could Have Danced All Night (My Fair Lady); Impossible Dream (Man Of La Mancha); Memory (Cats); and Music of the Night (Phantom Of The Opera).
Contact Steve The Whistler for international shipping rates.
Click the button links below to listen to clips of Steve’s CD performances, including “Danny Boy”
Danny Boy
St. Louis Blues
Clair de Lune mix
Turkish Rondo
Scheherezade
Musetta's Waltz
The Star Spangled Banner
America The Beautiful
God Bless America
These are but a few of the myriad radio & television programs, magazine & news publications, and live performance venues, here and abroad, where Steve has performed or appeared.
Steve “The Whistler” Herbst is available for commercials, movie soundtracks, television/radio appearances, concert performances, and private functions.
Contact Steve:
[email protected]
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