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Performance Today is a two-hour unique celebration of today’s art of classical music delivered by classical music host Valerie Kahler.
Here's what Valerie Kahler said about taking over the host chair.
“I’m thrilled to step into the role of host for Performance Today, a show I’ve admired since my earliest days in radio for its smarts, charm, and talent for sharing classical music at its living, breathing, occasionally mischievous — and always excellent — best,” Kahler says. “I’m deeply honored to follow in the footsteps of broadcast legends and dear friends Fred Child and Martin Goldsmith, whose vision and voices brought the show to life and gave it its heart. I look forward to carrying their legacy with care and curiosity.”
Here's what Fred Child said about his successor: “Valerie is not just an accomplished radio host, a marvelous cellist, and a beautiful singer. She’s one of my all-time favorite storytellers. Her passion for music and her joy in connecting with audiences come through every time she’s present, in person or on radio. I wholeheartedly welcome Valerie Kahler as the next host of Performance Today.”
Although the favored feature Piano Puzzler sunset with the retirement of Fred Child, listeners can still enjoy a huge archive of Puzzlers. Explore now at: Piano Puzzler archives
What is the origin of the show?
Performance Today was founded in 1987 by NPR, National Public Radio.
How has its mission/focus evolved? Performance Today is a music program with a clear focus on classical music and those two words: Performance Today. In the beginning, and still, the focus is on music in PERFORMANCE – i.e., the presence and vitality found in concert recordings. And TODAY: the current state of the music scene – contemporary music, diverse talent and the most inventive and enthralling of today’s interpreters of the great works of the past.
How much “new/contemporary” classical is played per program/per year?
Generally, a new piece of classical music broadcasts on Performance Today once per program, a couple of times each week – or roughly 100-150 contemporary pieces annually of the approximately 1600 featured pieces of music on our show each year (about 5-10% of our music).
How are the new pieces introduced on PT selected?
Our producers listen to live concert recordings after the year 2000 that we receive from around the world. From those we chose compositions that are musically interesting, have fascinating stories behind them and fit in our programming principle to ‘delight and surprise.’
Join the conversation on Facebook, send us your thoughts at mail@performancetoday.org or give us a call: 1-866-943-4450.
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The day before his final broadcast after 25 years as host of Performance Today, Fred Child joined Tom Crann to reflect on a quarter-century of a program that Child describes as “a place to share music and ideas together.” -
Listeners may have heard that Performance Today host Fred Child is stepping away from the host chair in October 2025. Recently he sat down with Chris Farrell in the MPR News studios to talk about what's next in his career. Listen to the entire interview.
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On Tuesday, cellist Annie Jacobs-Perkins will appear on Performance Today as the program's Young Artist in Residence program. Tuesday, August 17th… -
Acclaimed conductor JoAnn Falletta was named Performance Today's 2019 Classical Woman of the Year. The award, which was given for the first time, honors… -
Beginning on Monday, September 3rd, WXXI Classical 91.5 will welcome Performance Today with host Fred Child to the weekday schedule from 10 a.m. to 12… -
Performance Today Spotlights Black Musical HistoryCelebrate Black History Month with music, as Performance Today presents a new Black History Spotlight… -
It’s a snapshot of the Gateways Music Festival from Kodak Hall, on Performance Today. I’m Fred Child and I was delighted to enjoy so many performances,…
