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Rooted in Black music history in the Americas and worldwide.

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Members of Giving Voice, a choir comprised of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers, rehearse for a concert Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014 at MacPhail Center for the Arts in Minneapolis. (Jennifer Simonson / MPR News)

It's an exciting weekend in music, and we've got stories to go with it. Here are three stories you won't want to miss:

On Saturday at Antonello Hall at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, the Giving Voice Chorus will perform two shows  at 4 p.m. and at 6 p.m.

Giving Voice Chorus is composed of patients living with Alzheimer's disease, and being in the choir helps them connect with loved ones and with one another through the power of music. MPR News 

Cathy Wurzer and Phil Picardi collaborated on this wonderful story about the chorus

. It really shines light on music's abilities to transform, even if for a little while.

Stephen Paulus nominated for a Grammy Award

Back in October, we lost one of Minnesota's most prolific and talented composers, Stephen Paulus, at the age of 65. Today it was announced that 

Paulus has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Contemporary Classical Composition

, recorded by Eric Berlin, Richard Kelley, James Patrick Miller and the UMASS Wind Ensemble for their 

On Sunday at 3 p.m., Classical MPR will air the 

live broadcast of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival

 from Northfield, Minn. My colleague Alison Young recently 

interviewed a current St. Olaf student and an alumna about their experiences

 performing in the festival. Both describe their passion and fondness for the festival and its music. It really is an experience that lasts a lifetime.

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio on Monday mornings and at other times during the week. Prior to joining the staff of MPR in 2004, Steve presented a variety of radio programs on WCAL in Northfield, Minn., where he created an immensely popular call-in program, and on WXXI in Rochester, New York. Outside radio, Steve also enjoys work as a freelance tenor and violist. Steve and his wife, Naomi, enjoy traveling, gardening and hosting dinner parties.


Steve Staruch

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease connect to one another and to loved ones through the power of choral music; the late Stephen Paulus is nominated for a Grammy Award; and in the run-up to the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, two women share their thoughts on the lifelong love of this wonderful music event.


Click on Classical this weekend: Choirs aplenty and a Grammy nomination

The healing power of choral music

Stephen Paulus nominated for a Grammy Award

St. Olaf Christmas Festival impressions

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