Scott Blankenship

Host, Classical Music
sblankenship@mpr.org

Scott Blankenship started his radio career in college when he began working as a volunteer at a local cable radio station, announcing alternative and new rock music. His love and appreciation of classical music began at public radio station KVNO in Omaha, where he spent 13 years in various on-air and management roles, five of those years as the morning drive-time host. Indications that radio was in his blood go back to age five, when he used a corkboard and a battered phonograph as a makeshift radio studio; his father's Air Force issue flashlight served as his "on air" light. In his spare time, Blankenship is an avid cyclist and amateur playwright with several produced scripts to his credit.

Stories

Hop Notes: Celebrating powerful women with Urban Growler and the music of Amy Beach and Rachel Grimes

March 28, 2020

In the latest episode of Hop Notes, host Scott Blankenship savors the beers of St. Paul's Urban Growler, the first woman-owned microbrewery in Minnesota, with co-founders Deb Loch and Jill Pavlak. Add connections to the music of composers Amy Beach and Rachel Grimes, and you have a can't-miss episode of our classical-beer video series.

'Hop Notes': Savor Oktoberfest, tasty German beer and the music of Richard Strauss

September 19, 2019

Two of Germany's best exports are music and beer. Explore both for Oktoberfest in this episode of 'Hop Notes,' with Yoerg Brewing Co. in St. Paul, Minn., and works by Mozart and Richard Strauss.

Listen to the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet's recent Twin Cities concert

May 24, 2019

Take a few thousand old books and add four guitarists in a majestic Italian Renaissance style space, and you have all the makings of an amazing night of music. On March 26, the Schubert Club welcomed the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet to the James J. Hill Center in St. Paul, Minn., for an evening of their signature, Grammy-winning music. Listen to that concert now.

Hop Notes: Pairing Cesar Franck and Belgian ales

April 28, 2019

In this episode of Hop Notes, Scott Blankenship chats with Kevin Welch of Boom Island Brewing in Minneapolis and explores connections between its Belgian ales and the music of Belgian composer Cesar Franck.

Explore the connections between beer and classical music with 'Hop Notes'

September 03, 2018

What do you get when you cross beer and classical music? Hop Notes. Join Scott Blankenship in this debut episode as he samples a Bohemian brew and finds synergy with the music of Czech composer Antonin Dvorak.

Caroling with The Singers on Classical MPR

December 18, 2015

On Friday, Dec. 18, at 4 p.m., join us for Caroling with The Singers. Classical MPR host Scott Blankenship he welcomes one of the region's finest choirs, The Singers, and its conductor, Matthew Culloton, who will perform 15 carols selected by you, our audience. Tune in for the live broadcast -- and sing along!

Caroling with The Singers

December 08, 2015

This magical season rings with music and song like none other. We'd like to invite you to a nationwide caroling sing-along. Join classical host Scott Blankenship as he welcomes one of the country's finest choirs, The Singers, and its conductor, Matthew Culloton, for a countdown of carols from joyful to reflective, solemn to grand.