Learn more about advertising and sponsorship on WFMT. An urge to try country living caused Rich to resign from full-time work at WFMT in 1986 and move to rural Champaign County. Peter B. McNitt In the Age of the Visual Album, What Can Opera Learn from Beyonc? [14][15] In 1962, WFMT began broadcasting a majority of its programming in stereo. Without this support and the expert dedication of the Library of Congress staff, contributed at no charge to CHM, there would be no radio archive. Gary Johnson* Martin J. Koldyke* Gail M. Elden The studios and offices are on North Saint Louis Avenue in Chicago.[1]. [33] Nichols started the folk music program The Midnight Special in 1953. He also heads the WFMT Radio Network, the national syndication division of WFMT. [4] It originally held the call sign WOAK. [14] Another collaboration occurred the following year, as the two stations began a pioneering stereo music project in which WTTW broadcast a left audio channel, and WFMT broadcast the right audio channel simultaneously. Outreach Initiatives, Diversity and Inclusion 2018 Annual Report, Beyond Chicago from the Air with Geoffrey Baer. [26] The station's first series of Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts began in 1965. Meet the Hosts LaRob K. Rafael joined the WFMT announcing staff in 2020 as a fill-in host and became WFMT's full-time weekend morning host and producer in Fall of 2021. [8] WOAK generally aired pop music, but also featured classical music programs and dramas. He subsequently worked for Audio Consultants, a long time WFMT sponsor. [4][5][6], By 1950, the station's frequency had been changed to 105.9MHz, and its ERP was increased to 9,300 watts. Robert S. Hamada Christopher P. Valenti "They did not want to turn this into the Mamma Mia of Mozart. He succeeds Ann Hume Wilson who retired at the end of 2022 after ten years leading KMFA. Find out more here. William Brown Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, Read the biography of host LaRob K. Rafael and find out more about all WFMT hosts.View all >, Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Public File | 2022 WWCI. In fact, without realizing it, hes been preparing for his position for years. She produced the Critic's Choice series, regular broadcasts of reviews and commentary by artist Harry Bouras (whose name was the inspiration for the playful Chicago art group, the "Hairy Who"), theater critic Claudia Cassidy, and journalist and author Herman Kogan. Few kept up with his time and commitment and none his stature as a meeting point among Hollywood, Washington and the civil rights movement. Richard W. Colburn LaRob K. Rafael joined the WFMT announcing staff in 2020 as a fill-in host and became WFMTs full-time weekend morning host and producer in Fall of 2021. [14][18] In 1979, WFMT became America's first radio superstation, delivered by satellite and cable systems across the United States and dozens of countries, including the Soviet Union and China. It is managed by Window to the World Communications, Inc., owner of WTTW, Chicago's Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) member station. Are you a teacher, administrator, or even a student who wishes to use STRA audio in the classroom? These programs are comprised of live performances of the Orchestra from the 2006-2007 seasons. 38 in D, K. 504, "Prague" Rich also produced folk music concerts on campus. Chose music for roughly a third of WFMT's program schedule under the supervision of . Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen was broadcast live for the first time as a digital transatlantic performance from Bayreuth, Germany to the US and Canada in 1983.[21]. James W. Mabie passed away Saturday, May 8, 2021 at the age of 85. Esther E.T. She gets it, and shes able to articulate really trenchantly what about a piece of music that people should listen for, why it is important, and so on. In 2009, the Library of Congresss Division of Recorded Sound asked CHM to lend the tapes of the original programs. Oliver, who has been with the station in various roles since 2018, has begun in his new role today. [41] In 1972 it broadcast for the first time in four-channel (quadrophonic) sound, a live performance of the Chicago Lyric Opera's presentation of Rossini's Semiramide. [25] In 1964, Hi Fi/Stereo Review readers voted WFMT the best station in Chicago in terms of audio quality. Candidates may also fax their resume to (773) 509-5305 or mail to: WFMT . SAVANNAH, Ga. Larry "Gator" Rivers, who helped integrate high school basketball in Georgia before playing for the Harlem Globetrotters and becoming a county commissioner in his native Savannah, died Saturday at age 73. Tilden Cummings Jr. A spirited performance of "Now Is the Month of Maying.". For 15 years he reviewed folk music recordings for Sing Out! Read the Story. In addition to her extensive work with spoken arts programs, from 1972 until 2009 Lois Baum co-hosted with Norman Pellegrini nationally syndicated broadcasts from the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Rene Crown Set to join KMFA at the end of January 2023, he will provide leadership and vision to maintain KMFAs Core Values and achieve Strategic Plan goals. This site is being managed byWFMTin partnership with the Chicago History Museum. The gorgeous facility, including the spectacular Draylen Mason Studio, and the dynamic and talented team of staff and board have KMFA positioned to be a national leader in Classical Radio.. Ray generously agreed, and also allowed Rich to visit WFMT and watch him host the show. The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the WFMT Radio Network with collaboration from WQXR 96.3FM announce the new 13-week, two-hour series. Robert S. Silver A worker cleans the outside of a First Republic bank in San Francisco. joined the WFMT announcing staff in 2020 as a fill-in host and became WFMTs full-time weekend morning host and producer in Fall of 2021. On this weeks episode, LaRob and Kristina welcome two special guests to explore the crossover between classical music and climate change activism. "Most listeners don't even know it was there," Carter. Weekly broadcasts include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera. Oliver, who has been with the station in various roles since 2018, has begun in his new role today. In 2009, Preston could be heard on-air at WFMT as afternoon drive host and hosted and produced the internationally syndicated Lyric Opera of Chicago broadcasts. Terkels publisher, the New Press, has all of his books still in print. Hosts on WFMT include Dennis Moore, Candice Agree, Lisa Flynn and Peter Van de Graaff. In 1986, WFMT launched the Beethoven Satellite Network, a satellite delivered classical music programming service. He worked as a salesperson for Midnight Special sponsor Toad Hall, a stereo shop in Wilmette. Katie J. Rooney Weekly broadcasts include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera. A former singer and actor, Preston performed operatic roles including Papageno in Mozarts The Magic Flute and Figaro in Mozarts The Marriage of Figaro, and Rossinis The Barber of Seville, and in leading roles in Kiss Me Kate, The Music Man, and Show Boat. In 1957, the station received an Alfred I. DuPont Award as the country's best broadcaster in the small-station category. He has since gone on to work with arts organizations including Lyric Opera of Chicago, La Caccina (a professional womens ensemble), Black Opera Alliance, Black Administrators of Opera, and Sphinx Organization to name a few. "I've listened to WFMT for as long as I can remember," Kristina Lynn recalls. Gubrou combined the musical traditions of St. Yared, the father of Ethiopian religious music, with classical piano and the traditional pentatonic scales of Ethiopian music. Read the biography of host Lisa Flynn and find out more about all WFMT hosts.View all >, Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Public File | 2022 WWCI, After 52 Years at WFMT, Music Director Andi Lamoreaux To Retire, Grammys 2022: See All the Classical+ Nominees (And Winners), Tr music supervisor Lucy Bright: 'It's rare to have classical music on screen in that way', Listening Party: WFMTs New Show Prizes Fresh Perspectives on Classical Music Sounds, 'Art unfolding': Leading American Composer Jennifer Higdon Tackles New Instruments, Breaks Boundaries, 2023 Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition, LIVE | Miriam Kessler, 17, harp, piano, and composer. In November, 1983, Norm Pellegrini invited Rich to co-host The Midnight Special. By using this website, you accept the terms of . Symphony No. Award-winning stage and film director, writer, and producer Mike Nichols, at the time a student at the University of Chicago, joined the station in 1951. To contact any member of WWCI management, please call (773) 583-5000. He also heads the WFMT Radio Network, the national syndication division of WFMT. George Preston will begin leading KMFA in Austin, Texas, as CEO at the end of January, the classical station announced Thursday. Kristina Lynn and LaRob K. Rafael WFMT is excited to welcome two new voices to our host roster! 24 Etudes, Op 125 It was show No. George comes to us with exceptional experience, said Soriya Estes, KMFA Board Chair. This isnt Mozarts greatest hits.". Dennis Moore joined the WFMT announcing staff in 1990 after being a regular listener to the station via cable during his ten years as music director of WMFE in Orlando, Florida. When Rich left for the University of Illinois in 1968 to major in history, he immediately convinced the commercial student radio station, WPGU, to allow him to host a folk music program. Allow us to introduce you to Kristina Lynn and LaRob K. Rafael, who join as fill-in hosts. Students of any major are encouraged to apply but an interest in classical music would be recommended. The syndicated weekly show With Heart and Voice airs Sunday mornings. 38 in D, K. 504, "Prague" A native of West Virginia, George holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and Boston University. Learn more about advertising and sponsorship on WFMT. Erin Clifford They all changed formats by the 1990s. Length of internship and hours per week are negotiable, but we prefer that an intern be able to spend at least two days per week in the office. About The Archive One of KMFAs central goals is to increase our community partnerships as a collaborator both inside and outside the Austin arts community. Belafonte stands as the model and the epitome of the celebrity activist. While studying in the vocal music program at DePaul University, LaRob tried to go beyond the fixtures of academic vocal music and perform music that he felt spoke directly to him as a Black singer. Philip A. Alphonse [14], In 1995, the station moved to its current location in the WTTW complex in Chicago's Northwest Side. Candidates who are believed to be a good match will then be invited to complete an application and come in for an interview. Loretta Julian, Vice Chair Rich asked Ray Nordstrand to speak to his high school folk song club. Vice President and WFMT General Manager, Timothy Russell He is still heard periodically on The Midnight Special in his classic "Chicago Language Tape" skit. Rene Crown Raymond Whitacre [3], The station signed on the air on May16, 1948; 74 years ago(1948-05-16). [14][15] The station's ERP was also increased and its frequency was changed to the present-day 98.7MHz. Some fundraising experience would be helpful. In 2013, CHMs President, Gary T. Johnson, approached the staff of the WFMT Radio Network about forming a partnership to make the radio archive accessible to the world. Playlist: 10 Shakespeare-Inspired Operas You Should Know, Playlist: 5 Mexican Composers You Should Know, Playlist: 10 Celestial and Astronomical Classical Works, Playlist: Your Guide to Chopins Orchestral Works, Playlist: 10 Handel Operas Everyone Should Know, Through the Night with Peter van de Graaff, 2023 Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition, LIVE | Miriam Kessler, 17, harp, piano, and composer. Chicago, IL. Learn more about advertising and sponsorship on WFMT. Exciting opportunity in Chicago , IL for WFMT as a WFMT General Manager/Program Director | Hummel, Johann Nepomuk, Home | Stories | WFMT Welcomes Next Music Director. Few kept up with his time and commitment and none his stature as a meeting point among Hollywood, Washington and the civil rights movement. "But we'd be out of business-if we don't find another way []