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

Ward Jacobson has enjoyed a radio career spanning over two decades as a morning show host and sportscaster, as well as producer/host of an interview program where he chatted with authors, musicians, politicians and newsmakers. He is also a past winner of the prestigious Marconi Award. Jacobson's love of classical music stems from a childhood influenced by his bass-baritone father and piano-teaching mother. While still a college student in Nebraska, he began singing with the Abendmusik Chorus and took part in concert tours to venues as varied as Englands Lincoln Cathedral, the Vatican, Salzburg Cathedral, Auschwitz and Moscow. When not singing, he works to develop his guitar-strumming repertoire.


Ward Jacobson

Classical music host Ward Jacobson talks about the role singing has played in his life. 'I can't imagine life without singing,' Jacobson writes, a sentiment that became even more powerful when his very life may have slipped away from him.


Choral Stream

To Sing Again

Sing To Inspire, Oct. 5, 2015

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Tesfa Wondemagegnehu

Each week, American Public Media/Classical Minnesota Public Radio's Choral Initiative Manager, Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, shares a choral music story from around the country. This week, Tesfa shares a story about Rene Clausen and one of his most beloved compositions.


Sing to Inspire: Clausen's Courage

This year, to celebrate your favorite choral works, we have partnered with Twin Cities-based VocalEssence to assemble a ballot of the top 100 choral favorites. We ask you to vote by choosing your Top 5 selections. VocalEssence will perform your Top 15 in a concert this April. Submit your votes today!


VocalEssence Chorus, Philip Brunelle, conductor

Vote for your favorite choral pieces

Sing to Inspire: Wanting Memories

Each week, American Public Media/Classical Minnesota Public Radio's Choral Initiative Manager, Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, shares a choral music story from around the country. This week, Tesfa shares the second of two-part series on breast cancer awareness.


Dr. Ysaye Barnwell leading a group in song

Sing to Inspire: Dec. 28, 2015

Each week, Tesfa Wondemagegnehu and Julie Amacher share a choral music story from around the country. This week, they share a story about choral music changing the life of the gift conductor, Dr. Jeffery Redding.


Sing to Inspire: Pay It Forward

Regional Spotlight Dec 23. 2015

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

Bright and Merry, and, this week, contemplative music for the season from three wonderful choral ensembles: The Great River Choral (St. Cloud), the National Lutheran Choir (Twin Cities) and the Choral Arts Ensemble (Rochester).


Homegrown for the Holidays III

Abbie Betinis - Christmas Carol for 2015

John Birge has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.


John Birge

Composer Abbie Betinis continues a family tradition begun in 1922 by her great-grandfather by writing a new carol every year. For the 15th consecutive year, Betinis premieres this year's carol on Classical MPR. Her new carol is called 'Romance in Waltz Time.'


Premiere: Abbie Betinis's Christmas Carol for 2015

World Premiere: Abbie Betinis's Christmas Carol for 2015

Sing to Inspire: Dec. 21, 2015

Each week, Tesfa Wondemagegnehu and Julie Amacher share a choral music story from around the country. This week, they share an interview and new holiday recording from VocalEssence.


Chorus and Ensemble Singers at Welcome Christmas

Sing to Inspire: Nordic Nativity

Luke Taylor

Directed by Stephen Layton, the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge is known for its serious scholarship and soul-stirring singing. But it's certainly not above a little fun, as its 'White Christmas' music video attests.


A choral take on a Bing Crosby holiday classic

Scott Blankenship started his radio career in college when he began working as a volunteer at a local cable radio station, announcing alternative and new rock music. His love and appreciation of classical music began at public radio station KVNO in Omaha, where he spent 13 years in various on-air and management roles, five of those years as the morning drive-time host.

Indications that radio was in his blood go back to age five, when he used a corkboard and a battered phonograph as a makeshift radio studio; his father's Air Force issue flashlight served as his "on air" light. In his spare time, Blankenship is an avid cyclist and amateur playwright with several produced scripts to his credit.


Scott Blankenship

On Friday, Dec. 18, at 4 p.m., join us for Caroling with The Singers. Classical MPR host Scott Blankenship he welcomes one of the region's finest choirs, The Singers, and its conductor, Matthew Culloton, who will perform 15 carols selected by you, our audience. Tune in for the live broadcast -- and sing along!
