A soprano's-eye view of choral music
I feel like I'm entering a war zone writing about this topic: being a soprano in a choir. There are so many preconceived notions about sopranos. Let's get those stereotypes out of the way now.
Choral Stream Stories
An alto's-eye view of choral music
In lots of choral pieces, many people would have a hard time picking out the alto line. Yet if the altos were missing, the piece would feel wrong and empty. A singer with VocalEssence offers praise for that inner line.
A tenor's-eye view of choral music
Sociologists speak of class envy, students of grade envy and Freudians of penis envy. But in the choral world (and what is the choral world, after all, but a trembling microcosm of the very world itself?), it's tenor envy that seethes just beneath the surface.
Minnesota choir 29:11 International Exchange draws from its African roots
Watch as the Minnesota-based ensemble 29:11 International Exchange, many of whose singers and instrumentalists hail from South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, tap into their African roots to, as co-founder Brendon Adams says, “spread love and reconciliation through our music.” Enjoy the results of their recent recording session with YourClassical MPR.
Listen: National Lutheran Choir presents farewell concert for conductor David Cherwien
The National Lutheran Choir presents its season finale and farewell concert, ‘Ventures Known & Unknown,’ featuring some of departing conductor David Cherwien’s favorite repertoire during his 21-year tenure with the ensemble. Listen to the concert now, with host Steve Staruch.
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South African choir sang for Queen Victoria, with great highs — and awful lows
The singers traveled to England for a tour to raise money to build a technical college. Their story is receiving renewed attention because of a new dance performance based on the concert tour.
Watch: Voces8 Scholars and Augsburg/Mirandola singers join forces for 'Nunc Dimittis'
YourClassical MPR recently hosted the Voces8 Scholars in our flagship recording studio — and what an endeavor it turned out to be. Among the highlights of the three-day session by the U.S.-based training ensemble for the U.K.’s esteemed Voces8 was a recording of Paul Smith’s ‘Nunc Dimittis’ performed with the Minneapolis-based Augsburg/Mirandola Chamber Collective. Watch now!
Listen: National Lutheran Choir performs Steve Heitzeg's 'Lament of the Earth'
On Saturday, April 22, YourClassical MPR broadcasted the premiere of Minnesota composer Steve Heitzeg’s ‘Lament of the Earth.’ Performers included the National Lutheran Choir, the Minnesota Boychoir, soloist Clara Osowski and conductor David Cherwien. Listen to on-demand audio of the broadcast now!
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Known MPLS choir director leads a musical quest for community healing
The Minneapolis youth choir Known MPLS is making an impact in song and in community. ‘Known MPLS first and foremost exists to consistently provide a safe space for youth to thrive,’ director Courtland Pickens says. Find out more about these remarkable singers, and watch their performance of ‘Up Above My Head.’
Watch: Voces8 Scholars perform Minnesota composer Shruthi Rajasekar's 'Sat on the Shore'
During the Voces8 Scholars’ recent recording residency with YourClassical MPR, the young singers enjoyed the privilege of working with Minnesota composer Shruthi Rajasekar. Watch and listen now as they perform the Midwestern premiere of her vibrant new piece ‘Sat on the Shore,’ which urges listeners to ‘put away your mobile devices’ and enjoy the beauty of the world around you.