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Randy Salas is the senior digital producer of classical music for Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. He oversees all classical digital content, including the website, social media, videos, e-newsletters and podcasts.


Senior Digital Producer, Classical

Randy Salas

Enjoy classic music this Thanksgiving! Perfect for both music lovers and newcomers, these compositions will create an enjoyable ambiance for your holiday feast.


Thanksgiving Playlist

Thanksgiving Playlist: Classical Music for Holiday Meals - YourClassical MPR Playlist

Priscilla du Preez/Unsplash

Top 12 Thanksgiving classical music pieces

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 critiquing a new release each week. It airs locally at 7:15 a.m. Wednesdays and 5:15 p.m. Fridays.


Julie Amacher

On this week’s episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ violinist Joshua Bell helps revive the music of Thomas De Hartmann with his new recording of the Ukrainian composer’s Violin Concerto, featuring conductor Dalia Stasevska and the Lviv Symphony Orchestra. Listen now!


New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Joshua Bell

New Classical Tracks - Joshua Bell

Violin Concerto, Op. 66: I. Largo - Allegro

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Joshua Bell

New Classical Tracks® 

Provided

Violinist Joshua Bell brings forward the music of Thomas De Hartmann on new album

Suzanne Perez

More young people are attracted to musical theater because of popular shows like “Hamilton” and “Hadestown.” Students who want to be part of the performances may turn to a vocal coach for help.


Encore: THE VOICE COACH

A voice coach in Kansas helps students work toward their musical theater dreams

Lynne has been at this radio thing since 1984 when she fell into an historic job at KFAC AM and FM, the commercial classical station in Los Angeles.  She was the first woman staff announcer in the station's history, and it was such big news back then, it made the LA newspapers and national radio publications.  She is thrilled women in radio is no longer newsworthy.


Lynne Warfel

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ join host Lynne Warfel for a show dedicated to the music of Maurice Jarre, at the request of a listener from the Minnesota State Fair. Selections include music from ‘Doctor Zhivago,’ ‘Dead Poets Society’ and more. Listen now! 



Saturday Cinema - Oct. 5, 2024

Saturday Cinema

Maurice Jarre

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays, including hosting Music with Minnesotans, Regional Spotlight and Friday Favorites. Prior to joining the staff of MPR in 2004, Steve presented a variety of radio programs on WCAL in Northfield, Minn., where he created an immensely popular call-in program, and on WXXI in Rochester, N.Y. Outside radio, Steve also enjoys work as a freelance tenor and violist. Steve and his wife, Naomi, enjoy traveling, gardening and hosting dinner parties.


Steve Staruch

On the latest episode of ‘Friday Favorites,’ Cassandra Tandeski from Lakeville South High School, and Oliver Gerger from Hastings High School joined Steve Staruch as Project DJ co-hosts for Friday Favorites. Listen now!


Friday Favorites - Oct. 4, 2024

Project DJ guests Cassandra Tandeski and Oliver Gerger

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites: Listener requests with Project DJ co-hosts Cassandra Tandeski and Oliver Gerger

Composer Errollyn Wallen has had teachers tell her that classical music is ‘not her sort of music’ and has had to deal with being underestimated her whole life. Now she is one of the United Kingdom’s leading composers. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast. 


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

Rhapsody in Black - Errolyn Wallen

Rhapsody in Black

Robert McFadzean/Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Errollyn Wallen's compositions are out of this world

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ Toru Takemitsu’s ‘A String Around Autumn’ is the centerpiece of an hour that sets the tone for the coming of fall, with additional music by Xavi Torres and Michael Harrison. Listen now with host Steve Seel!




Extra Eclectic - Oct. 2, 2024

Extra Eclectic

Sounds for an autumn night

Tom Vitale

Adam Abeshouse was diagnosed with bile duct cancer last spring. His star classical music clients, including Joshua Bell, Simone Dinnerstein, Jeremy Denk, and Lara Downes, wanted to say goodbye.


ADAM ABESHOUSE'S ALL-STAR FAREWELL CONCERT

Rick Marino/Abeshouse Productions

A beloved music producer is dying. His clients came to his home for a farewell concert

On this week’s episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ composer Tina Davidson touches the earth with vulnerability on her latest album, ‘Barefoot,’ featuring the Jasper String Quartet and pianist Natalie Zhu. Listen now!


New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Tina Davidson

New Classical Tracks - October  2, 2024

Leap: I. Uncertain Ground

Tina Davidson Interview Clip - New Classical Tracks

Composer Tina Davidson embraces vulnerability on new recording

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra artistic partner Tabea Zimmermann opened the ensemble’s 66th season with music by Mozart and Prokofiev, including a collaboration with concertmaster Steven Copes. Listen to the concert now!


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