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YourClassical Fellow

Mya Temanson

These five mysteries are sure to leave you shivering in fright, just in time for the spookiest night of the year. 


Five chilling tales from the world of classical music 

Extra Eclectic - Oct. 1, 2025

A Concerto for Orchestra is usually a piece that gives each section of the orchestra a turn in the spotlight — and there’s a new one, from American composer Kevin Puts, that host Steve Seel shares with us on the lateset episode of Extra Eclectic.


man sitting at a desk with a musical score

Extra Eclectic

Kevin Puts' new concerto

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Tamar Segiv

New Classical Tracks - Tamar Segiv

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,’ cellist Tamar Sagiv explores the different facets of grief on her debut solo recording. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Tamar Segiv

A woman laughs and presses her forehead to the scroll on a cello

Shades of Mourning

New Classical Tracks® 

Cellist Tamar Sagiv explores the different facets of grief

Reading the title of a classical piece of music can make you feel like you are already behind. Symphony, prelude, toccata, opus, all those numbers.... Is it important to know what they mean? Performance Today host Valerie Kahler will help decode this confusing taxonomy and give some tips for the next time you open a concert program.

Classically Training, Episode 4 – “Sonatas, concertos, and preludes, oh my!”

Aerin O'Malley

In this episode, Performance Today host Valerie Kahler gives some tips for the next time you open a concert program.


Classically Training

Classically Training: “Sonatas, concertos, and preludes, oh my!”

Class Notes is seeking students in grades 9-12 to serve on the inaugural Class Notes Teen Council for the 2025-26 school year! Applications are due Monday, October 13, 2025.


A high school audience member raises their hand in an auditorium at a Class Notes concert

Apply to be a Class Notes Teen Ambassador

Extra Eclectic - Sept. 24, 2025

It’s modern classical sounds from down under on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ as Steve Seel brings us a bevy of Australian composers (and one from New Zealand — since we’re right there). Listen now!


Dreaming Down Under

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview): Wilhelmina Smith and Dawn Avery

New Classical Tracks - September 24, 2025

New Classical Tracks - Wilhelmina Smith and Dawn Avery

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ composer Dawn Avery and cellist Wilhelmina Smith present their first collaborative recording, ‘Sweetgrass.’ Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Wilhelmina Smith and Dawn Avery

Cellist Willhelmina Smith stands on rocks near the ocean

Decolonization

Composer Dawn Avery and cellist Wilhelmina Smith join forces on new album

Lakes Area Music Festival – Jonathan Cziner: North Long Lake, MN (world premiere)


Jonathan Cziner: North Long Lake, MN (world premiere)

Fellow – YourClassical

Zuzu Black

A Juilliard-educated composer working in Dallas, Texas, Cziner has long held a connection to Minnesota and has been a collaborator with the Lakes Area Music Festival.


A man in a blazer sits at a piano in a study 

A large lake surrounded by trees on a bright summer day

An Ear to the Ground: Composer Jonathan Cziner pays special local tribute with new piece 

Conductors have an important job. They start the music, stop the music, set the tempo, and help shape the sound of a piece. And they do all of this with their arms! However, every conductor does the arm-waving part a little differently. So how do musicians know what to do? This week, our host sits down with conductor Hannah Schendel to help demystify the movement that creates our music.

Classically Training, Episode 3 – What does the arm waving mean?

In this episode, our host sits down with conductor Hannah Schendel to demystify the art of conducting.


Classically Training: What does the arm waving mean?

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

Rhapsody in Black - Michelle Cann

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

Michelle Cann is a trailblazing African American concert pianist and teacher who is inspiring the next generation of musicians at the Manhattan School of Music and the Curtis Institute.  Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


MPR Hero Stories