Classical KC

On March 31, a federal judge found that a key provision of Trump's executive order that ordered the defunding of public media violated the First Amendment. But the ruling does not restore federal funding to KCUR or the rest of the public media system.

Final lease details are being negotiated by university officials as KCUR and Classical KC continue to provide uninterrupted service for the community.

KCUR and Classical KC were given just over a month to vacate our longtime offices. Here's what we know so far about the move, and what we don't.

Lawrence violist Mary Tuven and composer and bassist Charles Kelso Hoag often brought their daughter, Andrea Hoag, to their wintertime performances when she was just a small child. Now all grown up, Hoag brings those decades-old memories to life in her short story “The Christmas Musicians.”

The percussion quartet serves as faculty and ensemble-in-residence at the UMKC Conservatory. Playing on wine glasses and an empty bourbon bottle (in addition to a vibraphones and drums), Sandbox Percussion recently performed a dynamic Tiny Desk Concert at NPR.

Before the Chiefs face the Eagles at the Super Bowl, hands will be placed over hearts as Jon Batiste sings the national anthem. Learn more about the history of this musical tradition from some Kansas City musicians who have taken to the field to perform themselves.

As Super Bowl fever ramps up, ballet companies from Kansas City and Philadelphia are preparing to battle it out online.

Frank Byrne, the former executive director of the Kansas City Symphony, is the host of "From the Archives" on KCUR's sister station Classical KC. He joined Up To Date to discuss classical holiday music and his career in the industry.

Nearly 100 players from the region, spanning grades 6-12, are participating in the new Ad Astra Chamber Orchestra of Kansas City. “I try to get away from stuffy concerts,” says the group co-founder Russ Pieken.

Kansas City has long been associated with barbeque, fountains and jazz music — but accordions? Not so much. Still, Kansas City has a rich accordion history thanks to Joan Cochran Sommers, an icon who is still conducting, teaching and playing the accordion.

After 19 seasons, outgoing Kansas City Symphony music director Michael Stern conducted his final concert over the weekend. Plus: One Kansas City opera company is bringing the show to residents of local retirement communities.

After 19 seasons, Michael Stern is stepping down as music director of the Kansas City Symphony, with Matthias Pintscher taking over at the start of the next season. Classical KC spoke with the outgoing maestro and his longtime friend Yo-Yo Ma about Stern's time at the helm and what’s ahead for the orchestra.