Congratulations to band director Michael Serber, who recently retired from the Robbinsdale City Band after more than 50 years with the ensemble, including 31 as its leader. To celebrate, here’s a look at the storied band from our archives, including a 360 video of a performance in St. Paul.


Century-old Robbinsdale City Band plays notes of the past into the future

Fitness, like classical music, is very important to Minnesota meteorologist Sven Sundgaard and part of his evening routine. He has run 11 full marathons. For ones where he's allowed music, he jokes about reaching the final stretch and needing only an energy gel pack and some Bach to "remind us we're mortals."


Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard keeps his eyes on the weather and his ears on classical music

Giving Voice Chorus began because its founders had parents with Alzheimer's, knew what music could do for memory care and wanted to bring people together. It's now 160 singers strong across the Twin Cities. Relive their recent performance of 'Love Never Forgets,' a song cycle celebrating the power of love and music.


Giving Voice Chorus celebrates the power of music and love in new song cycle

The artists behind the Moving Company have been drawn to classical music for a while. That's no more evident than in 'Speechless,' their first production to rely solely on music and movement in place of words.


In 'Speechless,' the Moving Company trades words for music

The University of St. Thomas music department debuted its most recent commission, an epic operatic melodrama called 'Christina's Memory Garden.'


St. Thomas premieres operatic melodrama 'Christina's Memory Garden'

Choral composer Thomas Tallis lived through the reign of alternating Catholic and Protestant monarchs, each one changing the laws surrounding how sacred music could be composed. Now, his struggles come to life in the Twin Cities premiere of the drama 'Thomas Tallis,' presented by Orchard Theater Collective in a candlelit church.


Orchard Theater's 'Thomas Tallis' brings us back to the composer's politically tense world

Acclaimed for her extraordinary lyricism, technique and versatility, multiple Grammy winner Sharon Isbin has been hailed as "the pre-eminent guitarist of our time." Despite living away from the Twin Cities for most of her life, she still has some Minnesota in her.


Guitarist Sharon Isbin lives in NYC but stays true to her Minnesota roots

Skylark Opera Theatre has been around almost 40 years. But in 2016, the company canceled its season following financial trouble. It came back last year with a scaled-down model. The switch seems to be working.


For Skylark Opera Theatre, smaller is better

When you think of ballet, you probably envision tutus, pointe shoes and classical music playing in the background. Get ready for something entirely new this weekend when Twin Cities Ballet takes the traditionally classical form and gives it an epic rock twist with the world premiere of 'Pink Floyd's The Wall: A Rock Ballet.'


Twin Cities Ballet breaks down Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' to cross genres

Minneapolis folk group the Paper Days composed a classical suite in hopes of making concert band music more accessible for teens.


Hailey Colwell

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