MPR People

Euan Kerr

Editor
Minnesota Public Radio
ekerr@mpr.org

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Euan mortified his mother with his first published effort, in the school magazine ("I like when my parents have dinner parties because we get to eat the leftovers." E. Kerr, age 5.) He fell in love with radio at the University of Stirling. The campus station was housed next to the coal cellar in a fake castle; not pretty, but it allowed the claim "URA, the Castle on the Air." The castle has since burned down, proving Euan's theory it was a poor choice of studio site. He later received two significant messages: 1) His academic adviser said there was only one job in social psychology in Scotland, his field of interest, and as the adviser had it at the time, Euan was out of luck. 2) Euan's girlfriend said they should try living in the same city, and as she had a job, and he didn't, he should move to Minneapolis. So after studying journalism at the U of M, and working at many stations, he landed a half-time job at MPR as legal affairs research assistant. In time, that became a full-time reporting job, covering Minneapolis and the arts. He quit in 1990 to return to Scotland to work for the BBC. Back in the Twin Cities two years later, he became news director at KFAI, then the arts reporter with MPR. One day when he was not looking, he got made an editor. He now works primarily with MPR's bureau reporters, while occasionally doing arts pieces and writing for Movie Natters, his film blog.

Euan Kerr Feature Archive

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As musician lockouts drag on, some wonder what resolution will look like

With musician lockouts at the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra entering their fourth months, many observers are wondering how they will be resolved. Several theories are circulating about what some are calling the end game. (12/26/2012)

MN Orchestra re-opens negotiation talks, cancels concerts

Management at the Minnesota Orchestra on Friday cancelled all concerts through Feb. 10, but also offered locked-out musicians dates to talk without pre-conditions. (12/21/2012)

The Cube Critics: 'This is 40,' 'Les Miserables,' 'Rust and Bones'

It should be an action-filled weekend for films, with a blockbuster musical that's been adapted into a blockbuster movie, a love story involving a marine animal trainer and a street fighter, and the latest Judd Apatow flick about life at 40. (12/21/2012)

Emotions, economy collide for locked out Minnesota Orchestra musicians show

The locked out musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra will perform two sold-out shows this weekend at the Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis. (12/14/2012)

The Cube Critics: 'The Hobbit,' 'Hyde Park on Hudson'

MPR's Euan Kerr and Stephanie Curtis review "The Hobbit" and "Hyde Park on Hudson" during this week's edition of the Cube Critics. (12/14/2012)

Locked out SPCO musicians await management's response

It is up to Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra management to make the next move in the contract dispute, said the locked out musicians on Tuesday. (12/11/2012)

SPCO cancels concerts through Feb. 8

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Board Chair Dobby Gibson cited a budget deficit as confirmation that the orchestra needs to make substantial long-term cuts in order to remain a viable institution. (12/10/2012)

Minnesota Orchestra reports $6M deficit

Orchestra President and CEO Michael Henson attributed the shortfall to the poor economy and to the expense of the recently expired contract with musicians. (12/06/2012)

Twin Cities orchestras both declaring deficits

With Minnesota Orchestra musicians locked out for two months and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra players locked out for six weeks, both organizations are announcing budget deficits at their annual meetings this week. (12/05/2012)

The Cube Critics: 'Hitchcock,' 'Sister'

This week, a biopic about the master craftsman of cinematic terror and a movie about a wayward boy who steals ski equipment in the Swiss alps, both made it into the conversation on Cube Critics. (11/30/2012)

Royal dances and cats with opposable thumbs -- British commercials return to Minnesota

British Arrows Awards show has become a Twin Cities holiday tradition. For 26 years, the Walker Art Center has packed in huge December crowds to see the best British commercials. (11/29/2012)

Multi-talented choreographer Rosie Herrera blends skills in St. Paul show

Rosie Herrera is a choreographer, a dancer, an actor and a trained opera singer. She created a show that includes all of those things and is bringing it to St. Paul on Thursday night. (11/26/2012)

The Cube Critics - new holiday season movies

In this edition of The Cube Critics, MPR's Stephanie Curtis and Euan Kerr heap praise on three movies that are running during the holiday season -- "Anna Karenina," "The Life of Pi," and "Silver Linings Playbook." (11/23/2012)

Locked-out SPCO musicians announce 'Messiah' concerts

Locked-out musicians of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra announced Wednesday they will play Handel's "Messiah" at two concerts just before Christmas. (11/22/2012)

Orchestra lockouts bring opportunity, concern for music educators

While the cancellation of concerts is the most public result of the lockout of musicians at both the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, music educators are concerned about the lockouts' long-term impact on their students. (11/20/2012)