Students crave music at Hope Community Academy

Jess Gillam is a phenomenal young saxophonist who has already made her mark in the world of classical music. Listen to Gillam’s performance of her own arrangement of Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen’s ‘Shine You No More,’ recording during her recent visit to Minnesota Public Radio’s headquarters.

This year marks the 300th anniversary of Antonio Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons,’ the famous concertos that took over 200 years to become popular. Recently, the Janoska Ensemble, made up of three brothers from Slovakia, has given these concertos a makeover in their style.

What does a conductor really do? To answer this question, YourClassical Fellow Anna Tessman collaborated with conductor Hannah Schendel to help students learn exactly that through a series of masterclasses across the Twin Cities. Find out more!

For half a century, students have come to Red Wing to learn the art and craft of instrumental building and repair at Minnesota State College Southeast. On May 15 and 16, 2025, the college celebrated those “50 Years of Lutherie” with a showcase of its guitar and violin programs.

Will a clever fly outsmart a hungry frog? Find out in the June episode of YourClassical Storytime, ‘Franklin the Frog,’ featuring narration by Fred Child with Meghann Oglesby and Derrick Stevens, illustration by Joseph Midthun and Daniel Hoffstrom, and music by Georges Bizet. Listen now!

Watch as saxophonist Jess Gillam talks about her instruments, an alto and a soprano saxophone both crafted by hand by Yanagisawa, in her conversation with host Julie Amacher.

Watch as composer Michael Daugherty talks about the final piece on his latest album. The composition, ‘Into the New World,’ features a solo for the euphonium, the instrument that Neil Armstrong learned in high school and played throughout his life.

The ensemble has a concert this Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, one of five ensembles taking part in the program.

Now that you know what an Intimacy Director is, watch as Minnesota Opera’s Intimacy Director Doug Scholz-Carlson leads YourClassical MPR’s Tynia Major and Anna Tessman through the steps of choreographing a love story on stage, all while reminding us that it’s make believe!

Watch as trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis talks about his ‘Blues Symphony,’ which was featured on the latest recording by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Listen now with host Julie Amacher on the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks'!