New Classical Tracks - Berta Rojas (Extended)

New Classical Tracks - Berta Rojas

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

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, Paraguayan guitarist Berta Roja honors the history of classical guitar with the most influential women composers and performers on her latest album, ‘Legado.’ 


Rodrigo Da Silva

Paraguayan guitarist Berta Roja honors the history of classical guitar

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Tom Huizenga

In music of translucent constancy, the Pulitzer-winning composer finds philosophical questions — and comfort — in the Old Testament. 


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Suxiao Yang/Courtesy of the artist

David Lang explores philosophical questions in 'again (after ecclesiastes)'

Listen to the Story

Jeff Lunden

Broadway's music conductors aren't eligible for Tony Awards. But they're still vital to each show.


Brinkhoff-Moegenburg/Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Joan Marcus/Six

The music conductors who make Broadway sing - but won't get Tonys

Tim Greiving

John Williams' score was, true to form, unforgettable — as Jeff Goldblum remembers in an interview with NPR.


Universal Pictures

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The theme to 'Jurassic Park' hasn't aged a day

Celebrating the 100th birthday of Judy Garland.

Happy 100th, Judy!

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’s episode of Saturday Cinema, with host Lynne Warfel, is a celebration of Judy Garland on her 100th birthday. Listen now!


Hulton Archive | Getty Images

Happy Birthday, Judy!

Roshunda Jones Koumba has taught musical theater to high school students in Houston, Texas, for nearly 20 years. She's receiving a Tony award for her years of dedication to the craft.


Aldine Independent School District

High school teacher receives a Tony for dedication to musical theater 

An ecstatic exploration of classical music that’s aesthetically and uncompromisingly Black.

Rhapsody in Black - Ryan Speedo Green

Bass baritone Ryan Speedo Green has experienced an all-too-familiar upbringing that is similar to many troubled Black youths in America. But with the support of an outstanding teacher, he beat the odds to become a rising star in opera. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Marty Sohl | Metropolitan Opera

Bass baritone Ryan Speedo Green has beaten the odds

Valerie Coleman finds unity in struggle

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

Valerie Coleman’s extended version of her work “Umoja” depicts the totality of the Black American experience — one filled with struggle, resilience and unity. Listen to it and more on the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, with host Steve Seel.


Matthew Murphy

New Classical Tracks - Catalyst String Quartet (Extended) 

New Classical Tracks - Catalyst Quartet

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, violist Paul Laraia of the Catalyst Quartet speaks about the group’s continuation of its series of recordings commemorating historically important Black composers with its latest album, ‘Uncovered, Vol. 2: Florence B. Price.’ 


Courtesy of artist

Catalyst Quartet continues its 'Uncovered' series with composer Florence Price

Juneteenth: Remembrance and Celebration

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

Jeffrey Yelverton is a digital producer of classical music for Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. He supports the digital portfolio of MPR/APM by creating original content and providing production support for YourClassical Storytime, New Classical Tracks and various seasonal events.


Digital Producer, Classical

Jeffrey Yelverton

This Juneteenth we commemorate the holiday with two contrasting and power playlist — Remembrance and Celebration. Remembrance is about the past and represents the struggle of Black Americans to get to where we are today and Celebration is about the joy and jubilee felt in the presence of positive change for now and in the future. 

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