Good Idea at MPR

A friend asked me earlier this week if I’ve heard anything creative lately on classical radio, and I had to answer “not really.”  In my experience, classical stations are risk averse and I don’t just mean averse to playing new music or vocal music.  Not to disparage anyone, but except for KUSC and WQXR, I rarely hear about stations trying new ideas or being bold about stretching their audiences.

I just ran across one today that I didn’t know about.  Minnesota Public Radio sponsors what they call an “artist-in-residence,” but instead of being “in-residence” on the radio, their artist goes out into the schools with one of the radio hosts.  You can read about it here.

Students at Harrison Elementary School and Forestview Middle School spent time Thursday with Chad Hoopes, 17, a student at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia… Hoopes is Classical Minnesota Public Radio’s third-ever artist-in-residence. As the artist-in-residence, Hoopes will visit specific elementary, middle school and high school classrooms around the state, performing and talking about the importance of music and the arts.

He will be joined by Classical MPR host Steve Staruch at each school.

The program gives kids a first-hand look at what we old folks take for granted. Classical MPR Program Director Daniel Gilliam says,

What Chad offers is more than a message about playing the violin, but also about being involved in music and, regardless of what you love, giving your absolute best.