Banking on the strong Minnesotan tradition of choral music, Minnesota Public Radio is now offering a public-media first: a web stream of programmed choral music around the clock.
The 24/7 stream features professional, college and church choirs singing pieces “from Palestrina to Pärt, spirituals to Schubert.” A major element is the inclusion of Minnesota’s sizable local choral talent, including ensembles such as VocalEssence, Cantus, The Singers, St. Olaf Choir, Choral Arts Ensemble and the National Lutheran Choir.
The stream is part of a larger initiative by Classical MPR to boost choral music. June 7 will be the first annual “Harmony In The Park” — a free outdoor choral festival at Minneapolis’ Minnehaha Park — and MPR will bring the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir to the city’s 20,000-seat Target Center in June 2013.
Listen to Classical MPR’s new choral stream here.