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.


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Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment

Christmas with Cantus

Valerie Kahler grew up in a musical family and started playing cello and piano in 3rd grade.  She began her radio career in 1989 as a volunteer at KNAU (now Arizona Public Radio) in Flagstaff, Arizona.  She worked there as a classical host and music director for more than a decade before moving to Minnesota to work for MPR.   In addition to classical music, other passions include sewing, singing and cooking.  She shares her life with her partner, John, an artist.


Valerie Kahler

‘Christmas With Cantus’ is a beloved holiday tradition for YourClassical MPR listeners featuring the eight voices of the male vocal ensemble live in concert. 


Courtesy of artist

Christmas With Cantus

Welcome Christmas

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

'Welcome Christmas' is a perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world's premier choral ensembles, conducted by Philip Brunelle. Join host John Birge for an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries, including compositions and arrangements by John Rutter, Stephen Paulus, Alice Parker and more.


Welcome Christmas!

One hour of gorgeous, contemplative music related to the Christmas season and its symbolism.  Hosted by Lynne Warfel.

All is Bright

'All Is Bright', with host Lynne Warfel, offers an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angels, the star and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cantus, Chanticleer, Cambridge Singers, Bryn Terfel, Emma Kirkby, Jessye Norman, and a variety of choirs.


'All Is Bright': Contemplative choral music for Christmas

Cantus absolutely shines in this gorgeous performance of "Simple Gifts." It's perfect music for celebrating family, friends and gratitude. Watch now for a Thanksgiving treat.


Cantus - Simple Gifts

Choral Stream

Watch: Cantus sings 'Simple Gifts' for a Thanksgiving treat

The cast members of the stage musical ‘The Lion King’ gathered recently for their first rehearsal since COVID shut down London’s West End, and the British theater website WhatsOnStage was there to capture the emotional, magical moments as they sang ‘The Circle of Life.’ Watch now.


"Circle of Life" first 2021 rehearsal performance | The Lion King in the West End

Read

WhatsOnStage

Reunited 'Lion King' cast captures magic with 'Circle of Life'

Listen to the Story

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Deena Prichep

Many churches spent December under lockdown, canceling traditional holiday services. This summer, some congregations are using loosened restrictions to hold a do-over: Christmas in July.


Daniel Tseng/Unsplash

Churches are doing Christmas over with holiday services in July

Brian Newhouse

Former classical director Brian Newhouse explains how the renowned Minnesota-based vocal ensemble Cantus ended up rehearsing in the living room of his St. Paul home.


Cantus makes a tuneful house call

Minnesota based choral director Dale Warland is the 2021 recipient of the American Prize National Award for Lifetime Achievement. 


Minnesota choral legend Dale Warland receives lifetime achievement award

Fourth of July with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Fourth of July with the Tabernacle Choir

Join Julie Amacher for an hour of traditional, patriotic choral music performed by the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.


The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Watch and listen as 12 Twin Cities choral organizations present Voices Rising: A Choral Affirmation of Black Lives. The event on Wednesday night was the opening-night concert of Chorus America’s 2021 Summer Conference.
