This activity is made possible in part by the 

Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund

This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.


Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment logo

Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment

Randy Salas is the senior digital producer of classical music for Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. He oversees all classical digital content, including the website, social media, videos, e-newsletters and podcasts.


Senior Digital Producer, Classical

Randy Salas

Come along as we cruise through the Duluth Canal and experience a glorious Lake Superior morning aboard the longest ship plying the Great Lakes, the Interlake Steamship Company's Paul R. Tregurtha -- all accompanied by beautiful classical music!


Dawn on Lake Superior, aboard the Paul R. Tregurtha

Duluth Lift Bridge Departure - Ship's View from Paul R. Tregurtha

Lake Superior Dawn - Aboard the Paul R. Tregurtha

Sunrise on Lake Superior - Aboard the Paul R. Tregurtha

Choral Stream

Watch: Take a classical music journey on Lake Superior aboard a really big boat

We are happy to announce the launch of the Choral Stream newsletter. Get exclusive early access to performance videos, download free music selections, hear from movers and shakers in the choral community, and much more. Sign up now!


Sign up for the Choral Stream newsletter

Classical MPR and The Current presented a special Bring the Sing event on the winter solstice, Dec. 21, at Theo Wirth Park in Minneapolis. Check out a selection of photos from the event!


Check out photos from Bring the Sing on the Solstice

VocalEssence: Divine Light concert preview

Choral music that glows with divine light; that's what VocalEssence explores this Sunday in its Divine Light concert. Director Philip Brunelle shares a preview.


VocalEssence explores divine light in Sunday concert

Cantus returns Friday to the Minnesota State Fair for Bring the Sing on MPR Day! Come join us for this community singalong from 2 to 3 p.m. with Classical MPR host Steve Staruch, again at Dan Patch Park near the Grandstand.


Join Cantus and Classical MPR for Bring the Sing at the State Fair

Did you miss our Facebook Live event with Jake Runestad? You can now watch the full video, as host Brian Newhouse talks with the composer about his new release from Delos Music, 'The Hope of Loving,' performed by Conspirare.


Q & A with composer Jake Runestad - 'The Hope of Loving'

Watch: Composer Jake Runestad discusses 'The Hope of Loving'

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Patrick Coleman

When one person joins with others, the power of song is undeniable. Singing can allow people to tap into memories once thought to be lost, reconnect with loved ones and so much more. This is why we sing.


This is why we sing

The St Olaf Band sing (and play) a sacred work by Claudio Monteverdi

St. Olaf Band sings Monteverdi

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

The St. Olaf Band, under the direction of Timothy Mahr, performs an arrangement of a sacred work by Claudio Monteverdi that required both singing and playing. The instrumental lines in "Adoramus te, Christi" mimic and enhance the vocal lines for a modern take on this Baroque classic.


St Olaf Band sing Monteverdi

Regional Spotlight: St. Olaf Band sings (really)

The Twin Ports Choral Project sings Wellspring by Eric Barnum.

Eric Barnum's 'Wellspring'

Composer Eric Barnum took the Proverb, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life," and ran with it. Barnum's choral work 'Wellspring' is in this week's Regional Spotlight.


Eric Barnum Wellspring

Regional Spotlight: Twin Ports Choral Project sings 'Wellspring'

Dan Wascoe is a retired Star Tribune reporter/columnist and MPR contributor. As a pianist, he has performed for the past 15 years with vocalist Baibi Vegners as Nuance/a duo. Since 2004, he also has been a volunteer player of the bells atop Minneapolis City Hall.


Dan Wascoe

As times change, so do the stereotypes surrounding barbershop singing. Learn more about the barbershop community in Minnesota, and hear the Minneapolis Commodores perform at venues across the Twin Cities this summer.
