A Chanticleer Christmas

Melissa Ousley stumbled into a career in broadcasting many years ago when she moved to Wichita, Kansas to be near her soon-to-be husband. The attraction (to radio work, that is) was immediate and the chance to be around great music without having to practice piano was irresistible. After establishing herself as a host and producer in Kansas, Melissa moved to Minnesota and continued her work at WCAL in Northfield and Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul. Her morning classical show at WCAL was twice named "Best Classical Radio Program" by the Twin Cities paper City Pages. Melissa grew up near New York City. As a teenager, she attended the Preparatory Division of the Manhattan School of Music. Her bachelor's degree in music education is from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. When she's away from the airwaves, Melissa loves to run, read, and spend time with her family.


Melissa Ousley

Celebrate the season with song! Melissa Ousley hosts this one-hour program of holiday favorites, new and old, presented live in concert by Chanticleer, the Grammy-winning 12-man ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices."


APM; photo by Stephen K. Mack

Saturday Cinema - Nov. 22, 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

On the latest episode of ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel shares deep cuts from listeners’ most-requested composers, including James Newton Howard, Michael Giacchino and Alexandre Desplat. Listen now! 


Peter Cobbin

Listener requests: Deep cuts

Two long-lost organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach were recently performed in Germany

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Scott Simon

Two works newly attributed to J.S. Bach got their first performance in centuries this week.


WikiMedia Commons

Jazz group Snarky Puppy collaborates with Metropole Orkest for new live album

Michael Levitt

Juana Summers

Jeanette Woods

Elle Mannion

For their new album, the expansive jazz group Snarky Puppy collaborated with Metropole Orkest. The live recording is the band's grandest feat yet.


Provided

Chris Thile is taking Bach on location in latest recording

Derek Operle

Grammy-winning mandolin player Chris Thile is out with a new album. This time he is taking the music of J.S. Bach to different locations.


Matt Carr/Getty Images

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

Rhapsody in Black - Imani Winds

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

The players of the Imani Winds have had faith in commissioning new works that uplift the profile of BIPOC composers and performers. They have been doing so for more than 25 years. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast. 


Imani Winds have faith in music as their core value

Extra Eclectic - Nov. 19, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ as the trees lose their leaves and darkness comes earlier every evening, we’ll reflect on the beauty of autumn and nighttime with music by Alex Berko, Joby Talbot and Elena Ruehr. Listen now with guest host Jake Armerding!


Aynsley Floyd

Autumn landscapes with guest host Jake Armerding

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - 20251119

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Carolyn Surrick

New Classical Tracks - 20251119

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,’ Ensemble Galilei’s viola da gambist Carolyn Surrick speaks about the group’s latest recording, which features 35 tracks celebrating 35 years of performing music together. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Bernard McWilliams

Carolyn Surrick and the Ensemble Galilei explore hope on their latest recording

'The Sound of Cinnamon'

Jake Armerding grew up playing classical violin and listening to ‘80s pop radio. He spent 20 years on the road as an instrumentalist, appearing on such revered stages as Carnegie Hall and the Newport Folk Festival, before pivoting toward local musical work. He was thrilled to land a spot on the YourClassical team in the last days of 2024. He and his wife oversee the developing rowdiness of their three boys in River Falls, Wisconsin.


Jake Armerding

What does hygge mean to you? In ‘The Sound of Cinnamon,’ Jake Armerding invites you to experience coziness and contentment with a hygge soundtrack perfect for finding your favorite pair of slippers and putting your feet up. Listen now!


Saturday Cinema - Nov. 15, 2025

On the latest episode of Saturday Cinema, host Lynne Warfel shares music from detective tales, film noir and other whodunnits, including ‘Knives Out!,’ ‘Spellbound’ and ‘Psycho.’ Listen now! 


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