The SPCO

Class Notes Artists Minneapolis Guitar Quartet shared classical and folk music arranged for guitar quartet with young audiences in Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Lakeville and Saint Paul, Minn.

While there may not be a touch-of-a-button method for purchasing discounted tickets in the Twin Cities just yet, there are a number of affordable opportunities for students (and others) to hear live classical music in the area.

This month, concertgoers can experience the magic of Handel performed by the Minnesota Chorale; the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; St. John's Oratorio Chorus; the Dakota Valley Symphony Chorus; and the combined choirs of Brooklyn United Methodist Church, Family of God Lutheran Church, and North Hennepin Community College.

It's that time of year — feast time! If the thought of preparing huge meals sends shivers down your spine, don't worry. This week, music from three crazy meal-related ballets to reassure every cook that, hey, it could be worse. For Friday, a sweet after-dinner treat of coffee and chocolate.

Arden Harrison Bushnell is a fabric artist whose works have been seen and awarded at the Minnesota State Fair.

Benjamin Britten was born Nov. 22, 1913. This week on Morning Glories, we'll celebrate the centennial of his birth with five works written by the influential British composer for some of his greatest muses.

School Spotlight highlights outstanding Minnesota school- and student-music ensembles during the academic year. Through this feature, Classical MPR hopes to expose listeners to the great music being made by young musicians across the state, and to generate more support for music education.

Maddie Wild Crea is a writer of stories and a volunteer at Arc Value Village and St Anthony Park Nursing Home. Her joy in helping others is reflected in a playlist that is Beethoven-centered.

For the past 10 years, you've heard his calming and oh-so-rational voice in the afternoons on MPR News, but have you heard Dr. Jon Hallberg tell of the time a piece of music on Classical MPR forced him to stop his car and simply sit and listen to the end? Dr. Hallberg is our guest on this week's Music with Minnesotans.

This week, Rachel and John talk about what to eat in St. Paul, Minn., during the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's opening weekend.