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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?

Aerin O'Malley

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


Graphic for Classically Training podcast featuring head with treble clef inside

Two women have a conversation in a recording studio

Classically Training

YourClassical MPR

Classically Training: What does the arm waving mean?

Classical Feature - Music for the Days of Awe: An Observance of the Jewish High Holidays 2023

Music for the Days of Awe: An Observance of the Jewish High Holidays

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

At this time of year, Jews around the world gather together to celebrate new beginnings. Listen as host Mindy Ratner guides us in a musical observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, in 'Music for the Days of Awe: An Observance of the Jewish High Holidays.’


Holiday

Sonya Rapport

Listen: 'Music for the Days of Awe: An Observance of the Jewish High Holidays'

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.


Rhapsody in Black - 20240620

Price: Piano Sonata in E Minor

Rhapsody in Black

Steven Mareazi Willis

Pianist Michelle Cann inspires next generation as a noted music teacher

Extra Eclectic - Sept. 17, 2025

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, we begin our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with works from Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina and Peru, including Gabriela Ortiz’ ‘Canto Abierto’ and Jimmy Lopez Bellido’s ‘Peru Negro.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!


Extra Eclectic

Marta Arteaga

Hispanic Heritage Month begins

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Sharon Isbin

New Classical Tracks - Sharon Isbin

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,’ guitarist Sharon Isbin fulfills her dream of performing a Latin American-inspired guitar concert on her latest album, ‘Romántico,’ featuring music by Karen LeFrak. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Urban Tango

New Classical Tracks® 

J. Henry Fair

Sharon Isbin performs music by LeFrak on new album

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YourClassical celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with our brand new Hispanic Heritage Month Stream. Join Ines Guanchez as she explores the rich musical traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean.


Hispanic Heritage Month

There are 88 keys on the piano, and each one plays a different note. But how did they choose those 88 notes and why did they stop there? Is that even something someone chooses? In this episode, Dr. Andy Fleser explains the history of one of the world’s most important instruments. 

Classically Training, Episode 2 – How did the notes on the piano get there?

In this episode, Dr. Andy Fleser explains the history of the piano, one of the world’s most important instruments.


Two people have a conversation next to a piano

MPR 

Classically Training: How did the notes on the piano get there?

Guest DJ: Jessica Mallow Gulley, incoming President and Managing Director of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra

Tom Crann is heard on YourClassical MPR from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays. Prior to rejoining the classical team at MPR, Tom was the host of All Things Considered for MPR News from 2005 to 2025, where he interviewed a wide range of public figures, including Minnesota's members of congress, politicians, experts, writers, and artists. He anchored Minnesota Public Radio's award-winning live coverage of the 35W bridge collapse. He has hosted other special coverage for MPR News, including live coverage of election nights since 2012.  He has been a host, producer, and interviewer for Minnesota Public Radio since 1995.   His work on MPR News has been recognized with an Eric Severeid award, a regional Edward R. Murrow award, and a National Headliner award. He has also hosted the international cultural broadcasts "Sounds Irish" and "The Last Night of the Proms," a co-production with the BBC. Tom began his career at MPR/APM as a classical host in 1995. In addition to his work at Minnesota Public Radio, Crann has spent more than 20 years hosting and producing classical music and cultural programs at public radio stations around the U.S, and for RTE/Lyric FM in Ireland, where he is still a contributor.


Tom Crann

Mallow Gulley is joining the SPCO from the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in Michigan, where she served as President and CEO since 2019.


courtesy Jessica Mallow Gulley

Incoming SPCO president and managing director Jessica Mallow Gulley shares some favorites

Extra Eclectic - Sept. 10, 2025

Steve Seel devotes the first hour of this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ to living Icelandic composers, including two works by Anna Thorvaldsdottir, whose Cello Concerto ‘Before We Fall’ was recorded on August 13 at this year’s BBC Proms Festival. Listen now!


Hrafn Asgeirsson

The sounds of Iceland

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Sarah Bassingthwaighte

New Classical Tracks - September 10, 2025

New Classical Tracks - Sarah Bassinghwaighte

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ Canadian-American flutist and composer Sarah Bassingthwaighte premieres her latest project, an album with the London Symphony Orchestra centered on music connected to nature. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


MPR Hero Stories