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Music

The art of bow making

Matt Wehling used to be a chemist. He spent his spare time playing violin in a Twin Cities Celtic band - The Clumsy Lovers. Then disaster struck. His violin broke. For Wehling the repair process was life changing. These days he can be found in the basement studio of his house in Northfield making prize-winning bows for violins, cellos, and violas.

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South Dakota opera fans introduce art through local stars

Opera's rebirth continues. La Boheme is on Broadway. Opera tickets are selling well just about everywhere. Opera lovers in Sioux Falls are trying to light the flame in hopes of it catching on there. Two South Dakota natives who are now opera stars perform scenes from several operas as a way of introduction.

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New directions for classical music

American classical composers broke from European traditions and created the foundation for music that continues to change and surprise. A music critic for the Village Voice describes the important moments in the life of 20th century American music.

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Real hard rock

Each June in Mankato you can find great music in a strange location. It's a concert in a quarry. A working quarry. Each year it produces thousands of tons of crushed rock for the construction industry. But in June the quarry becomes a stage. Thousands of people show up to listen to a symphony orchestra and a blues rock band.

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Dale Warland resigns; choir to disband after season

Internationally-acclaimed choral conductor Dale Warland is stepping down as artistic director of the chorus he created three decades ago. Under his baton, the Dale Warland Singers have become known as one of the best a capella choirs in the world. But now Warland says it's time to move on.

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Marching to the sound of a different drum processer: Tiki Obmar

Tiki Obmar is an electronic music trio from Edina. You could say it's members, Brett Bullion, Chris Smalley and Graham Chapman, have have met the machine and become one. Tiki Obmar's members play live instruments over a bed of pre-programmed electronic music. Tiki Obmar's debut cd is called High School Confidential.
by Chris Roberts

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Fending off the swan song

Symphonies search for new audiences in a variety of ways, but they still need help staying afloat in many parts of the country.

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Suzanne Vega reflects on influence of American composers

By the time Suzanne Vega's first album came out in 1985 she had survived nearly a decade of rejection. Today, Vega is one of the most respected, and sucessful female singer/songwriters in the business. Vega is taking a closer look at other influential American musicians as host of Minnesota Public Radio's American Mavericks Series.

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U of M School of Music celebrates 100 years

The University of Minnesota's School of Music is marking 100 years of developing many of the region's foremost music teachers, performers and composers.

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Hearing hip hop

Once thought of as underground hip hop has made the jump to the mainstream. A wider audience may have forced changes in the music's messages.

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