New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - December 3, 2025

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Joshua Gindele_Miro Quartet

New Classical Tracks - Joshua Gindele_Miro Quartet

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,’ the renowned Miró Quartet continues its 30th-anniversary celebration with its latest album, a holiday-themed recording featuring arrangements by 15 contemporary composers. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Jeff Wilson

The Miro Quartet celebrates 30 years with a holiday recording

Christmas at Luther

Longtime music host and performer Andrea Blain presents classical music programming including national specials, opera and other live broadcasts and holiday programs. She also is part of a team that works on content and scripting for ‘Rhapsody in Black’ and has voiced several episodes of YourClassical Storytime.


Andrea Blain

Each December, the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, rings out with the sacred and the exuberant: the sounds of the Christmas season. Enjoy the 2024 program, ‘Seeking Refuge for a Weary World.’


Christmas at Luther: 'Seeking Refuge for a Weary World'

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra - Sept. 12, 2025

Celebrate the holidays with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra annual performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ featuring an all-star roster of vocal soloists, vocal ensemble The Singers, and conductor Dinis Sousa. Listen to the live broadcast with host Steve Seel at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, on YourClassical MPR.


Provided

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra performs Handel's 'Messiah'

'Candles Burning Brightly'

Mindy Ratner is a host and producer on the Classical Music Service of Minnesota Public Radio, where she is heard on weekends. She began her career in public broadcasting following her graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working first for the local public television station and then for Wisconsin Public Radio. She moved on to stations in Cincinnati and Philadelphia before joining Minnesota Public Radio in 1983. In 1998 and '99, Ratner took a leave of absence to work as a music host and producer for China Radio International in Beijing. Her spare time is devoted to international travel; folk, ballroom and contradancing; singing in the Minnesota Chorale; her two cats, and trying to stay ahead of the weeds in her garden.


Mindy Ratner

A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! Hosted by Mindy Ratner, ‘Candles Burning Brightly’ features lots of music from Jewish communities worldwide, a hilarious lesson on preparing a classic Hanukkah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home.


St. Olaf Christmas Festival - Our Hope for Years to Come

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival has become one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations. This year's presentation, ‘Our Hope for Years to Come,’ features more than 500 student musicians. Listen now. 


St. Olaf Christmas Festival: 'Our Hope for Years to Come'

Saturday Cinema - Nov. 29, 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 music from listeners’ most-requested films and composers, including ‘Schindler’s List,’ ‘The Holiday’ and ‘Apollo 13.’ Listen now! 


Top listener requests

Vote now to create YourClassical Christmas Favorites, a one-hour holiday special highlighting the top carols based on your votes with hosts Tom Crann and Jake Armerding.


Vote: Choose 'YourClassical Christmas Favorites' songs from your favorite hosts 

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

Rhapsody in Black - 20251127

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

Before the turkey and pies, Black households across America would start their holiday in church. Hymns like “Come Ye Thankful People, Come” were sung with spirituals like “Give Me Jesus.” That choral tradition became the soil from which soul music grew. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast. 


Daniel Welch/Morahan Arts and Media

Thanksgiving's longstanding connection with gospel music

Extra Eclectic - Nov. 26, 2025

This episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ features gentle sounds that evoke feelings of place, gratitude and stillness. Selections include music by Kevin Puts, David Lang and Robert Honstein. Listen now with guest host Scott Blankenship!


Thanksgiving Eve with guest host Scott Blankenship

'Welcome Christmas'

For host Bonnie North, classical music is more than just a genre — it's a way of life. She stumbled into the world of radio after responding to a newspaper ad for Vermont Public Radio seeking a classical music DJ for its Sunday afternoon show. Despite having no previous radio experience, she was confident in her knowledge of classical music and took a chance. She created an audition tape, and the rest is history. Her favorite composer depends on her mood. Sometimes she seeks the meditative sounds of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, while other times she craves the angular compositions of Igor Stravinsky. Of course, she also loves the classics by composers who include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. But she is always looking for contemporary composers and is eager to discover new musical talents. Outside of work, she loves to attend live music events. She also enjoys traveling and having friends and family scattered throughout the United States and Europe. But her love for animals is just as strong, and she often volunteers at animal shelters. She is an avid duathlon participant, combining her love for running and biking in one exciting event.


Bonnie North

‘Welcome Christmas’ is a perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world's premier choral ensembles. Join host Bonnie North for an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries.


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