YourClassical Morning Seel Of Approval

• Minnesota Public Radio’s YourClassical MPR keeps it firmly in the family and names station veteran Steve Seel as the next host of YourClassical MPR’s Morning Show, beginning Oct. 5. Seel will take the helm from John Birge, who retired from the host chair in August after nearly 30 years.

Already a familiar voice to YourClassical audiences, Seel currently hosts Sunday through Tuesday evening Classical music and the national concert program SymphonyCast, produces and hosts regional concert broadcasts with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and has been a regular fill-in host for YourClassical MPR.

“We’re thrilled Steve Seel will move into the morning drive chair at YourClassical MPR!” said Julie Amacher, Program Director of YCMPR. “Steve weaves his in-depth knowledge of the music and our arts community together with his delightful sense of wit and awareness of what’s going on in our world today. That approach makes Classical music relevant for our listeners every day.”

Seel began his career in public media at WUSF in his hometown of Tampa, FL, and from there worked at renowned Classical station WNED-FM/Buffalo, NY. Seel moved to Minnesota in 1999 to become a weekend and overnight host for YourClassical, and when Triple A sister The Current launched in 2005, Seel was one of that station’s founding voices and served as midday host before becoming morning co-host alongside Jill Riley in 2009. In 2015, he returned to YourClassical, where he has served as an evening host and host of Extra Eclectic.

“I’m honored to be taking over the chair for my good friend and colleague John Birge in the mornings on Your Classical MPR,” said Seel. “While John is in no way replaceable, I promise to bring listeners all of this wonderful music with the same amount of love, and a little humor, too. I can’t wait to get started.”

As part of Seel’s transition to mornings, Extra Eclectic will have its last show on Sept. 28. Seel will continue to host SymphonyCast each weekend.