Photo credit: Rachel Alexander for the Salem Reporter
Salem Reporter by Rachel Alexander
Former All Classical Radio intern Cindy Flores was featured in the Salem Reporter for her work leading McKay High School’s innovative mariachi music program. Way to go, Cindy! 👏
Flores is the first music teacher in the Salem-Keizer School District dedicated full-time to mariachi and other Mexican music traditions. Her work is split across three schools in northeast Salem, with mornings at McKay and afternoons at Waldo and Stephens middle schools. She teaches about 40 middle school students.
Cellist Gautier Capuçon, photographed by M. Bertrand Delapierre. Courtesy of artist’s website.
French classical cellist Gautier Capuçon and his instrument becomes the voice of the Earth in an inspired new album of world premiere recordings in Gaïa. Uniting seventeen original contributions by sixteen contemporary composers, his new project sets out to explore humanity’s relationship to nature through a multifaceted lens, drawing from different musical genres, aesthetics, and cultural influences as well as the formidable contrasts of the natural world.
Taking its name from the Greek goddess of the Earth and Mother of all life, Gaïa showcases diverse new works by artists you hear on All Classical Radio regularly, such as Max Richter, Ludovico Einaudi, and Joe Hisaishi – as well as emerging talents: Armand Amar, Jasmine Barnes, Olivia Belli, Quenton Blache, Michael Canitrot, JB Dunckel, Missy Mazzoli, Gabriela Montero, Nico Muhly, Xavier Foley, and Ayanna Witter-Johnson.
All Classical Radio’s Director of Music & Programming, John Pitman, recently spoke with Capuçon about the cellist’s passion for music, concern for the earth in the age of climate change, and a love of doing “crazy things,” such as climbing the French Alps near where he grew up. Hear their conversation below, and keep an ear out for the unique sound of the sirens of the gendarmes (so you know he’s calling from Paris!).
Fred Child, President & CEO of All Classical Radio, stands in front of a wall of CDs at the station’s headquarters in KOIN Tower.
After a classical radio career that took him to New York, Fred Child is back in his hometown as CEO of Portland’s All Classical Radio.
“I’m proud of the work I did as a national host and feel extraordinarily lucky to work with so many of my musical heroes on the national and global musical scene, and to bring those connections back to Portland feels fantastic. This is such a talented creative team already. I have the privilege of getting to focus on the big picture and creating an environment in which they can do their best work and serve the audience better and expand who that audience is. 2025 was a really interesting year for public broadcasting everywhere, and I want to help All Classical weather the storm and recommit to the core mission of sharing great classical music with as many people as possible.”
During rehearsals for his choral cycle The Lost Birds, Colorado-based choral group Kantorei collaborated with two-time GRAMMY-winning composer Christopher Tin on a new piece. The choir would later describe this new work as a celebration of “unbridled joy!”
American poet and lyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri worked closely with Tin and Kantorei on this project.
From these collaborations, the album Song Offerings was born.
All Classical Radio’s John Pitman recently had the pleasure of speaking with Tin about the inspiration behind the multi-movement cycle, how the sources – which range from Rabindranath Tagore to the New Testament and Ovid’s Metamorphosis – reflect ancient expressions of love, while at the same time giving voice to our fellow living humans.
Watch Fred Child, All Classical Radio’s incoming President & CEO, speak with Wesleigh Ogle on KUNP/KATU’s ARC PDX about joining All Classical Radio. A Portland native and graduate of Lincoln High School, Fred shares what it means to return to his hometown of Portland, his journey in broadcasting, and what inspires him about this next chapter.
Hear more about Fred’s plans for All Classical when he begins his new position in January 2026.
All Classical Radio is thrilled to announce Fred Child as our next President and CEO, beginning January 2, 2026.
An award-winning broadcaster and arts advocate, Fred is relocating to Oregon from New York City to join the All Classical Radio team. Among his many accomplishments, he is particularly admired for his 25-year run as host of the nationally syndicated classical music radio program, Performance Today, heard on hundreds of radio stations nationwide.
“Fred has been a leader in connecting music-makers with music-lovers, and advancing access to the arts with a passion and approach that is absolutely infectious. He brings an ambitious strategic vision for our arts network, guided by a deep understanding of and appreciation for public media. We are so proud to welcome him to All Classical Radio,” says All Classical Radio Board Chair Elaine Durst.
“It is a joy to return to my hometown of Portland and an honor to join this beloved institution,” says Fred. “All Classical Radio delivers essential culture as a free global resource, and does so with a team of uniquely talented personalities. Their creativity inspires me to envision what we can do together through our shared experience of great music, outstanding performances, and engaging storytelling.”
As we gather for Sunday Brunch, I want to share a decision with you that comes from my heart. For the past ten years, it has been one of the great joys and honors of my life to lead All Classical Radio and to share time with you on the radio.
When I announced my departure as President & CEO earlier this year, the station invited me to continue hosting Sunday Brunch from my new home in Ireland. Since then, and as this year draws to a close, I’ve come to understand that All Classical Radio is beginning a beautiful new chapter under its next leader, and out of respect for the new CEO and the spirit of a new year and all the possibilities it brings, it feels right for me to pass the microphone.
It has been an honor to spend these Sunday mornings with you, to bring music into your homes and into your lives, and to be part of your routines… your breakfasts, your quiet moments, your challenges and celebrations.
To the donors and sponsors of this show, and to YOU and your fellow listeners and brunchers, I thank you for everything.”
-Suzanne Nance
Stay tuned for updates on what’s coming next for Sunday Brunch. We have a seat saved for YOU to explore more delicious music at the Sunday Brunch table in 2026!
One of the most recognizable voices in American classical music is coming to Portland’s airwaves. But Fred Child, the genial longtime host of the nation’s most popular classical music radio program, Performance Today, isn’t just bringing his enthusiastic, informed voice to Portland’s All Classical Radio. He’s just been named the new president and chief executive officer of Oregon’s most significant classical radio station, which has become a cultural hub for the region.
He’s also coming home. Child is a Portland native who studied classical piano and jazz, and served for a decade as a host at Oregon Public Broadcasting before becoming Music Director and Director of Cultural Programming at the New York public media giant WNYC, where he also hosted a performance and interview program. Along with his quarter-century of hosting American Public Media’s nationally syndicated Performance Today, Child has also been the Emmy-winning announcer for PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center, hosted National Public Radio’s Creators @ Carnegie program, and anchored many major live concert broadcasts. He bade farewell to Performance Today at the end of October.
On December 9, 2025, All Classical Radio announced Fred Child as the station’s next President and CEO, beginning January 2, 2026.
“It is a joy to return to my hometown of Portland and an honor to join this beloved institution,” says Fred. “All Classical Radio delivers essential culture as a free global resource, and does so with a team of uniquely talented personalities. Their creativity inspires me to envision what we can do together through our shared experience of great music, outstanding performances, and engaging storytelling.”
