Music

Considering the life of Mary in music
This Sunday people will gather at a Twin Cities chapel to hear the story of Mary, mother of Jesus. It's not a sermon, but a musical concert, by local folk singer Ruth MacKenzie.
Winter music and musings on a singing career
Singer-songwriter Keri Noble questioned her commitment to writing hits when the industry asked her to sound more like Norah Jones. She also talks about her strict Christian upbringing in a Spanish-speaking congregation in Detroit, and how she made it big in Japan.
Sun sets on the Morning Show
MPR's Morning Show hosts Dale Connelly and Jim Ed Poole join Gary Eichten on the eve of their final program.
Leroy Anderson wrote a perennial holiday classic with his "Sleigh Ride." But it was only one of several pieces he wrote for this festive time of year. Now, they've all been brought together on one CD.
Fergus Falls marching band gets ultimate performance
The upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama is a hot ticket. But one lucky group of teenagers in Fergus Falls will be there for sure.
Folk music legend Odetta dies at 77
Odetta, the folk singer with the powerful voice who moved audiences and influenced fellow musicians for a half-century, has died. She was 77.
Music and the shaping of humanity
A musician-turned neuroscientist suggests that evolution had a hand in how we respond to music. He chose six songs as examples of how we achieve cooperative goals like acquiring knowledge and love. He also explains why The Beatles' failure to imitate their musical heroes made them stars.
New Classical Tracks: Fresh holiday offerings from John Rutter
The music of John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers has been a familiar part of the Christmas season for decades. But this new disc is their first all-new Christmas recording in 20 years.
Origins of Christmas music
Philip Brunelle sings the praises of early Christmas music and even the sillier songs we hear at this time of year. And he talks about how holiday music has changed over the years. You'll hear VocalEssence's Ensemble Singers perform Christmas songs, old and new, in MPR's Maud Moon Weyerhauser studio.
Scribes poked fun at last great Minnesota recount
Minnesota saw its last big recount battle in 1962. The following year, Twin Cities Newspaper Guild roasted the recount at its Gridiron Dinner with a little ditty sung to the tune of "I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover."