Choral Stream

A new vocal festival funded by a $75,000 Minnesota State Arts Board grant aims at raising the visibility for the many vocal ensembles, barbershop quartets, jazz singers, gospel choirs, folk duos, and other groups of people who come together in song around Minnesota.

Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, Classical MPR's choral initiatives manager, bought a car that he'll be driving throughout Minnesota to share the joy of choral music. He asked listeners to submit their name ideas for the vehicle. From more than 200 creative ideas, Tesfa is pleased to announce the winning name.

As he watched his father in the last stages of dementia, Tim Schmidt, who sings second bass for the National Lutheran Choir, would play Thad Fiscella's Ivory Hymn on the piano nearly every day. Schmidt could see in his father's eyes that the piece would help bring his father back to the present moment, causing him to rise in his chair.

While on vacation, Steve Staruch and his wife made plans to visit Walden Pond. They ended up experiencing something far beyond what they imagined.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, we aired our latest Archive on the Radio special, with exclusive performances from Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence. The program includes pieces by Dominick Argento, Stephen Paulus and Libby Larsen, to name a few.

The world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir has thrilled audiences of all ages for more than 500 years; now, it bring its singular sound to the Basilica of Saint Mary.

Classical MPR's Tesfa Wondemagegnehu recently bought himself a new car so he can drive all over spreading the joy of choral music. Now he just needs a perfect name for his new ride. What ideas do you have?

Here's a fun look back: Harmony in the Park delighted audiences in Minneapolis, Mankato and Duluth back in June. Each day, the weather threatened, but the air cleared just in time for each concert. Enjoy these photos by freelance photographer Bill Hickey.

Just 28 years old, Mohammed Fairouz is an acclaimed and widely-performed composer. Having been raised as a world traveller, Fairouz - in the words of his official biography - "integrates Middle-Eastern modes into Western structures, to deeply expressive effect."

In a bittersweet announcement, the King's Singers have announced that Julian Gregory will be joining their ranks as tenor; Benedict Hymas, the previously-announced replacement for departing Paul Phoenix, has withdrawn from the position for personal reasons.