The Minnesota Orchestra’s Rosemary and David Good Fellowship is designed to “support the career development of outstanding young musicians of African American, Latin American and Native American descent.” See how the current honorees, bass trombonist Lovrick Gary and cellist Esther Seitz, are helping to increase diversity and fair representation in classical music.


Minnesota Orchestra's Good Fellowship blazes diversity trails in classical music

Much British choral music of the Victorian and Edwardian period has drifted into obscurity. But a University of Minnesota project, led by music professor Matthew Mehaffey, is rescuing these “lost” works and making their scores freely available as part of the English Heritage Music Series.


University of Minnesota professor rescues endangered British choral music

When Caroline Shaw won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Music for her dazzling vocal work Partita for 8 Voices, one lingering doubt assailed her — she wasn’t sure that she was even a proper composer. Today, years later, she reflects on her identity and the journey she’s taken as a musician as she visits the Twin Cities for a concert. 


Mixing it up with Caroline Shaw before Sunday's Twin Cities concert

After a year of no performances, tenor David Portillo returned to the stage in the spring for Minnesota Opera’s production of Benjamin Britten’s ‘Albert Herring.’ Listen now to YourClassical MPR’s encore broadcast of this remarkable production.


Listen: Minnesota Opera brings 'Albert Herring' to life

‘Guns n' Rosenkavalier’ is a zanily original show conceived by St. Paul-based baritone Andrew Wilkowske, combining the worlds of opera and rock music. 


'Guns n' Rosenkavalier' gives new meaning to 'rock opera'

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is responding to a recent reckoning in classical music by diversifying its programming with more music by underrepresented composers and composers of color. This weekend’s concerts — which you can hear live at 8 p.m. Saturday on YourClassical MPR — include pieces by 18th-century dynamo Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and contemporary composer Valerie Coleman.


'Wake-up call': SPCO aims to diversify its programming

The Women's Drum Center in St. Paul was founded 32 years ago to challenge vigorously the long-standing assumption that percussion is intrinsically a male activity. Novices can try their hands at percussion in a series of free Drumming Test Drive events, starting Saturday, Sept. 11.


Women's Drum Center in St. Paul finds its rhythm

Northfield pipa virtuoso Gao Hong spread the love for her Chinese stringed instrument through a 2021 collaborative album with oud player Issam Rafea.  


Pipa virtuoso Gao Hong enjoying new success and accolades

After a devastating fire struck the world-famous Dobson Pipe Organ Builders in Lake City, Iowa, the company is slowly navigating a return to normalcy thanks to resourcefulness, others’ generosity and loyal customers.


Iowa's Dobson Pipe Organ Builders picks up the pieces after devastating fire

Chorus America awarded the University of Minnesota's director of choral activities, Kathy Saltzman Romey, its Distinguished Service Award for 2021. The award follows her 30 years of work with the school, as well as her deep involvement with the Minnesota choral community.


Terry Blain

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