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.

“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,” wrote All Classical Radio Board Chair Elaine Durst in the station’s press announcement. “He brings an ambitious strategic vision for our arts network, guided by a deep understanding of and appreciation for public media. We are proud to welcome him to All Classical Radio.”

One of the most prominent figures in American classical music media is taking leadership of one of the country’s most significant music broadcast outlets. Under the innovative leadership of departing CEO Suzanne Nance, the station became a national leader in classical music media and an arts producer. (Read some of our previous coverage here, here, here and here.) Now, Child’s “appointment marks the next chapter in All Classical Radio’s ongoing evolution as a global media network amplifying classical music, arts, and culture,” reads the station’s press release. He starts January 2. 

“It is a joy to return to my hometown of Portland and an honor to join this beloved institution,” says Child in the station’s press release. “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.” Stay tuned, as they still say in radio land, for more ArtsWatch coverage of Child’s return.

New leadership for Oregon Symphony

Another major Oregon classical music institution has just picked its new leader. The Oregon Symphony Orchestra chose Paul Snyder as its new President and CEO. As ArtsWatch reported last summer, Snyder (who’s served on the boards of OSO, Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Symphony, and Portland Opera) had occupied the role on an interim basis since the departure of Isaac Thompson.

Oregon Bach Festival’s new artistic partner

The Oregon Bach Festival appointed Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra conductor Ken-David Masur as artistic partner in charge of OBF’s modern choral-orchestral initiatives, joining Jos van Veldhoven, who oversees historically informed performance practice. “In his new role, Masur will collaborate closely with festival staff to shape programs that celebrate Bach’s rich legacy, while also exploring contemporary works inspired by Bach’s enduring influence,” according to the festival’s press release. 

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If his surname sounds familiar to classical music fans, yes, the Leipzig-born (the city where Bach is buried) conductor is the progeny of famed conductor Kurt Masur. Masur fils has conducted major orchestras around the world, and several performances at OBF. 

Siletz Bay Music Festival’s new executive director

Siletz Bay Music Festival picked arts administrator Daniel Pack as its executive director. An accomplished cellist, Pack previously directed the NEXT Ensemble and served as technical director of Utah’s Ogden Shakespeare Festival. The Lincoln City-based annual summer festival celebrates its 15th season August 13-23, 2026, with a special event planned for May 29 and 30.

ChatterPDX’s new composer residency program

ChatterPDX has announced a new residency program for composers that will result in nine new commissions over the next three years, starting with inaugural composer Kimberly Osberg. Read all about it in Music Editor Matthew Andrews’s latest MusicWatch, and more about ChatterPDX in Alice Hardesty’s ArtsWatch story. 

ChatterPDX will also host performances by the quartet of young musicians who won the inaugural Young Artists Professional Development Competition, held at Portland State University last month. Read Bob Hicks’s ArtsWatch story about that.

Homes for the Holidays – and Beyond

Both of Oregon’s major youth orchestras have found new homes. Metropolitan Youth Symphony is the new owner of Portland’s former St. Paul Lutheran Church building at 3880 S.E. Brooklyn St. at S.E. César Chávez Blvd. And Portland Youth Philharmonic purchased the historic Central Lutheran Church, designed by Oregon architectural eminence Pietro Belluschi himself. (Read more about its significance from architectural historian Fred Leeson.) After extensive renovation, the building, located in Northeast Portland’s historic Irvington neighborhood, will provide abundant space for rehearsals, classes, workshops, performances, and community programs for the nation’s oldest youth orchestra.

Kudos

Bhavika Pasuparthi’s national honor

Jesuit High School sophomore Bhavika Pasuparthi has been named a National YoungArts Winner with Distinction in the Voice category. Beginning her Indian Carnatic classical vocal studies at age 5, she’s also studied Western classical voice with renowned Portland diva Angela Niederloh and performs with the Pacific Youth Choir, Jesuit Chamber Choir, and Portland Opera’s Rising Stars program.

“YoungArts award winners, all ages 15-18 or in grades 10-12, are selected through a highly competitive application reviewed by panels of esteemed artists in a rigorous adjudication process,” reads the press release. “All YoungArts winners have demonstrated exceptional technique, a strong sense of artistry, and an extraordinary commitment to developing their craft. Winners were selected from a record number of nearly 13,000 applications across 10 artistic disciplines.” 

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Pasuparthi will participate in National YoungArts Week, held January 4–11, 2026 in Miami, where she’ll share her work with peers, attend interdisciplinary classes and workshops, and receive mentorship from leading artists. As ArtsWatch reported, Oregon’s Elaina Stuppler scored one of the prestigious awards last year.

Julia Hwakyu Lee’s hall of fame nod

Portland pianist and educator (University of Portland and Portland State University) Julia Hwakyu Lee has been nominated for Steinway & Sons Music Teacher Hall of Fame, which recognizes the work of North America’s most committed and passionate piano educators.

Cappella Romana’s free tickets for SNAP cardholders

And as the holidays arrive, kudos to the esteemed Portland vocal ensemble Cappella Romana, which has announced it will now offer completely free admission to its concerts to all SNAP cardholders, the food assistance program recently attacked by the current national administration. “We’ve always believed that this music has the power to heal, to uplift, to remind us of our shared humanity,” said Cappella Executive Director Mark Powell in a press release. “Right now, people are hurting. When someone is choosing between feeding their children and feeding their soul, we will not be another door that’s closed to them.” The group’s next Portland concert, Christmas with Cappella, is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

… and a farewell to Todd Snider

Farewell to one of the great Oregon songwriters, Todd Snider, who died last month in Nashville and left the world a little grayer.