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Extra Eclectic - July 6, 2026

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ host Steve Seel extends the 250th anniversary celebrations with two hours of works by contemporary American composers, including Derrick Skye, Jennifer Higdon, Jessie Montgomery, Shelley Washington, Curtis Stewart and more. Listen now!


Extra Eclectic

An American Mirror

Steve Seel is the host of YourClassical’s weekly SymphonyCast and the trailblazing music show Extra Eclectic. He possesses a broad knowledge of many musical genres, having hosted radio programs ranging from classical to jazz and even avant-garde music at radio stations around the country. Steve began his love affair with public radio at 24 working whatever shifts he could at his hometown station of WUSF-FM in Tampa, Florida, and from there worked his way to snowy Buffalo, New York, and its renowned classical station WNED-FM, where he hosted middays and the weekly experimental-music show Present Tense.  In 2005, Steve became one of the founding voices on Minnesota Public Radio's eclectic station, the Current. While there, he hosted afternoons and mornings, and conducted in-depth interviews with pop music luminaries ranging from Brian Eno to David Byrne to Tori Amos. Steve is a basement composer obsessed with all things both minimalist and slow, and might actually be incapable of writing anything that exceeds 75 beats-per-minute.


Steve Seel

Darkness gives way to brilliance on the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast,’ featuring Thomas Søndergård and the Minnesota Orchestra. James Ehnes brings elegance and intensity to Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, framed by Esa-Pekka Salonen’s ‘Nyx’ and Nielsen’s Symphony No. 1. Listen now with host Steve Seel!


SymphonyCast® 

Minnesota Orchestra

American Composers Countdown 2026

You voted for your favorite composers, listen as host Tom Crann reveals the results on YourClassical’s American Composers Countdown!


Who is host Tom Crann's favorite American composer?

Who is host Julie Amacher's favorite American composer?

Who is host Steve Seel's favorite American composer?

Who is host Vernon Neal's favorite American composer?

YourClassical's American Composers Countdown

Where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music, with host Vernon Neal.

Rhapsody in Black - Aaron Dworkin

Vernon Neal is the host of the podcast ‘Rhapsody in Black,’ where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music.


Host/Producer

Vernon Neal

American violinist and music educator Aaron Dworkin saw a need to diversify classical music and made it his life’s work. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast. 


Selfish Joy of Giving | Aaron Dworkin | TEDxUofM

Rhapsody in Black

Aaron Dworkin has cultivated a community through music

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Lara Downes

New Classical Tracks - 20260701

Julie Amacher's desire to introduce others to great music is what led her to radio. She began her professional broadcast career at a station in Sun Prairie, Wis. She went from rock 'n' roll to the Rocky Mountains, where she found her niche in public radio at KUNC in Greeley, Colo. Julie spent 13 years at KUNC, where she managed the announcers and their eclectic music format. During that time, she earned four national awards for best announcer. She joined Minnesota Public Radio in 1997 as an on-air host and also produces New Classical Tracks, a weekly podcast sharing behind-the-scenes stories about a new release each week. It airs locally at 7:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. on Saturdays.


Julie Amacher

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ pianist Lara Downes describes how her project aimed at uniting American communities informed the music on her latest recording. Listen now with host Julie Amacher in anticipation of the country’s 20th anniversary.


New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - July  1, 2026

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - 20260701

Hard Times Come Again No More (Arr. for Ensemble by Joseph Brent)

New Classical Tracks® 

Lara Downes celebrates the country's 250th with 'Hold These Truths'

Extra Eclectic - June 29, 2026

This episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ highlights international composers and cross-cultural collaborations with works by Gabriela Ortiz, Johann Johannsson and more. In the second hour, host Steve Seel begins a tribute to contemporary American classical music ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Listen now!


A woman sits at a grand piano in a dark long-sleeved shirt and glasses credit Mara Arteaga

International and domestic music

Interview: Aaron Copland interviewed on MPR by Dennis Rooney in July 1976

Luke Taylor

A 1976 interview by MPR’s Dennis Rooney features the “Dean of American Music” reflecting on music and composers ahead of three Bicentennial performances at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.


50 years ago, Aaron Copland conducted the Minnesota Orchestra for the U.S. Bicentennial

All classical music started with a blank page. Before any piece is played or heard, someone has to create it. What does it take to organize all those notes into a final composition? In this episode, composers Shruthi Rajasekar, Janika Vandervelde, and Dan Nass take a seat at the Composers Roundtable to share how they turn their ideas into music.

Classically Training, Episode 5 – How do composers compose?

Aerin O'Malley

In this episode, composers Shruthi Rajasekar, Janika Vandervelde, and Dan Nass take a seat at the Composers Roundtable to share how they turn their ideas into music. 


Classically Training

Classically Training: How do composers compose?

On the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast,’ violinist Isabelle Faust brings intensity and lyricism to Dvořák’s Violin Concerto, while Susanna Mälkki leads the Danish National Symphony Orchestra through Sibelius’ Symphonies No. 6 and 7. Listen now with host Steve Seel!


A woman stands with a violin in her hands

Danish National Symphony Orchestra

Transitioning: The Music of Change

Fellow – YourClassical

Zuzu Black

Despite being a fundamental part of life on earth, change is difficult for everybody. Join host Zuzu Black for ‘Transitioning: The Music of Change,’ an hourlong special featuring Queer and trans musicians that explores the many complex and interwoven facets of change. Listen now!


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