Music

If you want to learn how to make a guitar, or repair a violin, head to Red Wing. The city is home to the nation's most comprehensive program focused on building string instruments. Over the years, students from as far away as Mozambique and Thailand have flocked here to learn the art of instrument-making.
Osmo Vanska will stay at the Minnesota Orchestra through at least 2011. The Finnish conductor signed a new four year contract today. Orchestra President Tony Woodcock told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr he's very pleased.
Mainstream hip-hop music can offer a view of the world that's about drugs and violence, and it's not very nice to women, either. But there are some people who say it doesn't have to be that way. They call themselves B-girls, and they're coming out to play in Minneapolis this weekend.
Minnesota is home to the world's largest hockey stick and the world's largest ball of twine. This week it will become the temporary home of the world's largest string instrument. The "Earth Harp" is being assembled in downtown St. Paul as part of the Flint Hills International Children's Festival.
When French composer Erik Satie wrote the music for "Parade" during World War I, he set in motion the attitude for Paris of the 1920s.
Learning to play music can be hard, but learning to compose can be even tougher. Twin Cities composer Libby Larsen has been working with some Apple Valley high school students for the past few months as they create seven brand new pieces.
When some people see art, they wonder what the artist was thinking when they made it. The Walker Art Center asked a famed jazz pianist to take that one step further. Jason Moran has created a piece of music inspired by work in the Walker's collection.
The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and University of Minnesota School of Music have formed a new partnership that will include sharing a resident conductor.
With graduation this weekend, Luther College will mark the end of an era. Its celebrated choral conductor, Weston Noble is retiring after 57 years at the helm of the college's Nordic choir. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson sat down recently with Noble to talk about his conducting career and the divine guidance that he says kept him at Luther all these years.