Where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music, with host Vernon Neal.

Rhapsody in Black - Julius Eastman

Vernon Neal is the host of the podcast ‘Rhapsody in Black,’ where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music.


Host/Producer

Vernon Neal

Composer and pianist Julius Eastman’s personal philosophy was ‘to be what I am to the fullest.’ A graduate of the Curtis Institute, his music was highly acclaimed and challenged racist and homophobic stereotypes. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Ron Hammond

Julius Eastman composed music that challenged oppressive stereotypes

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Michael Daugherty

New Classical Tracks - Michael Daugherty

Julie Amacher's desire to introduce others to great music is what led her to radio. She began her professional broadcast career at a station in Sun Prairie, Wis. She went from rock 'n' roll to the Rocky Mountains, where she found her niche in public radio at KUNC in Greeley, Colo. Julie spent 13 years at KUNC, where she managed the announcers and their eclectic music format. During that time, she earned four national awards for best announcer. She joined Minnesota Public Radio in 1997 as an on-air host and also produces New Classical Tracks, a weekly podcast sharing behind-the-scenes stories about a new release each week. It airs locally at 7:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. on Saturdays.


Julie Amacher

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ Grammy-winning composer Michael Daugherty talks about his latest album, ‘Blue Electra,’ which explores the triumphs and tragedies of flight, and features violinist Anne Akiko Meyers. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Ayaka Sano

Anne Akiko Meyer presents Michael Daugherty's 'Blue Electra'

Minnesota Orchestra - May 16, 2025

Minnesota Orchestra - May  9, 2025

The Czech influence is deeply felt in this Minnesota Orchestra program, featuring music by Janáček, Smetana and Dvořák, as well as an appearance by violinist James Ehnes. Listen to the concert now!


Ben Ealovega

Listen: James Ehnes joins the Minnesota Orchestra for music by Dvorak

Saturday Cinema - May 17, 2025

Lynne has been at this radio thing since 1984 when she fell into an historic job at KFAC AM and FM, the commercial classical station in Los Angeles.  She was the first woman staff announcer in the station's history, and it was such big news back then, it made the LA newspapers and national radio publications.  She is thrilled women in radio is no longer newsworthy.


Lynne Warfel

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ join host Lynne Warfel for a show dedicated to horses in films. Selections include music from ‘Black Beauty,’ ‘Seabiscuit,’ ‘The Mask of Zorro’ and more. Listen now!


Saddle Up the Horses, Kid

Friday Favorites - May 16, 2025

Steve Seel is the host of YourClassical’s weekly SymphonyCast and the trailblazing music show Extra Eclectic. He possesses a broad knowledge of many musical genres, having hosted radio programs ranging from classical to jazz and even avant-garde music at radio stations around the country. Steve began his love affair with public radio at 24 working whatever shifts he could at his hometown station of WUSF-FM in Tampa, Florida, and from there worked his way to snowy Buffalo, New York, and its renowned classical station WNED-FM, where he hosted middays and the weekly experimental-music show Present Tense.  In 2005, Steve became one of the founding voices on Minnesota Public Radio's eclectic station, the Current. While there, he hosted afternoons and mornings, and conducted in-depth interviews with pop music luminaries ranging from Brian Eno to David Byrne to Tori Amos. Steve is a basement composer obsessed with all things both minimalist and slow, and might actually be incapable of writing anything that exceeds 75 beats-per-minute.


Steve Seel

Steve Staruch is joined by Tom Crann on the latest episode of ‘Friday Favorites,’ playing listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now! 


James Napoli/APM

Friday Favorites: Listener requests with Steve Staruch and Tom Crann

Charles Strouse, Broadway composer of 'Annie' and 'Bye Bye Birdie,' has died at 96

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Jeff Lunden

The Broadway composer of Annie and Bye Bye Birdie died Thursday at 96.


Andy Kropa/Getty Images

Charles Strouse, Broadway composer of 'Annie' and 'Bye Bye Birdie,' dies at 96

Rhapsody in Black - March 23, 2023

Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis redefined the genre in subtle and caustic ways. While he had great success he was always restless for innovation.  Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast. 


Hulton Archive | Getty Images

Miles Davis reinvented the jazz scene 

Extra Eclectic - May 14, 2025

This week’s episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ is a musical garden, with contemporary classical works about flowers, rain, and sun. Steve Seel plays us Yoko Kanno’s ‘Flowers Will Bloom,’ Takashi Yoshimatsu’s piano concerto ‘Memo Flora,’ Terry Riley’s ‘Sun Rings,’ Caroline Shaw’s ‘Let the Soil Play its Simple Part’ and much more. Listen now!


Yosuke Torii

Let our garden grow

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Wynton Marsalis

New Classical Tracks - Wynton Marsalis

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis talks about his ‘Blues Symphony,’ which was featured on the latest recording by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Piper Ferguson

Detroit Symphony Orchestra presents Wynton Marsalis' 'Blues Symphony'

Recorders, the woodwind music instruments, are on the decline in British classrooms

Ayesha Rascoe

A British music education organization reports that use of recorders are declining in the classroom. We wonder: Why were they there to start with? And why is "Hot Cross Buns" such a banger?


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