Honoring Mindy Ratner’s Remarkable Legacy
Honoring Mindy Ratner’s Remarkable Legacy
Dear Classical Friends,
After a career in public broadcasting spanning more than five decades, Mindy Ratner will retire from her role as national host on Classical 24 in October 2026. Mindy has brought knowledge, grace, and genuine warmth to listeners nationwide. She studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and began her career in broadcasting there, first at Madison’s public television station and subsequently at Wisconsin Public Radio. Mindy served audiences at public radio stations in Cincinnati and Philadelphia before coming to Minnesota Public Radio in 1983. Along the way, she became a trusted host and producer on MPR’s Classical Music Service. Hers is also one of the original voices dating back to when C24 was launched more than 30 years ago.
Over the years, Mindy has created several memorable national specials. These include “Spring Moon” in observance of the Lunar New Year, inspired by what she calls her Great Life Adventure as a classical music host on the English Service of China Radio International in Beijing in the late 1990s; several “Candles Burning Brightly” shows in celebration of Chanukah (including a new one for this year!); “Days of Awe” for the Jewish High Holy Days, and the Gabriel Award-winning “Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words.”
Mindy’s last on-air shift will be October 31, but she will remain on the roster as an on-call host, so listeners will still have an opportunity to experience Mindy’s passion for classical music on occasion.
We are sincerely grateful to listeners who have welcomed Mindy into their homes over the years, and to our affiliate stations whose partnership has shared her voice, care, and musical insight with communities across the country. As we celebrate all she has given to C24 and public media, feel free to share the following announcement with your listeners. Thank you for helping us honor Mindy Ratner’s legacy with the appreciation she deserves.
Announcement for listeners:
After a more than 50-year career in public broadcasting and classical music, Mindy Ratner will retire from her role as national host on C24 in October 2026. Over the years, she has brought knowledge, grace, and genuine warmth to listeners nationwide.
Mindy has created several memorable national specials, reflecting both her Jewish heritage and her experience with Chinese culture. These include “Spring Moon” in observance of the Lunar New Year, inspired by what she calls her Great Life Adventure as a classical music host on the English Service of China Radio International in Beijing in the late 1990s; several “Candles Burning Brightly” shows in celebration of Chanukah (including a new one for this year!); “Days of Awe” for the Jewish High Holy Days, and the Gabriel Award-winning “Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words.”
We are sincerely grateful to the listeners who have so generously welcomed Mindy into their homes, and we invite you to share your best wishes with her here:
Celebrate Mindy Ratner’s Extraordinary Career