Classical listeners testify to their love of music

People say they listen to classical music for the emotional connection — the feelings stirred by a beautiful performance. Perhaps more than any other fare on public radio, classical aims for the heart. This makes classical stations natural participants in a new public-awareness campaign for public broadcasting, “My Source.”

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting launched My Source this year as a way to promote public broadcasting as a whole — especially to funders — by highlighting what listeners and viewers most value. Local stations and the My Source website are recruiting fans of public broadcasting to record audio and video spots about their favorite programming. Some are famous, such as Julia Stiles or Kevin Bacon. Others are local folks.

Listen to a few My Source spots about classical music:

• Minnesota Public Radio: “Classical Minnesota Public Radio is my source for … goosebumps.” (MP3)
• Capital Public Radio in Sacramento: a sweet story about kids spontaneously dancing to Beethoven (MP3).
• Cincinnati Public Radio: “I hit that spot in the cut in the hill where the city opens up, and the city was all sparkling with lights, and I got goosebumps. It was beautiful, and I fell in love with the city. It was just the most wonderful moment.” (MP3)

I’ve heard My Source spots about news programming airing on my local NPR station, and compared to those, these spots about classical music stand out. These listeners talk about the music with a passion that comes through loud and clear. It’s obvious that music plays a role in their lives that nothing else could fill, and that public radio performs this job as no one else could. I listen to these and empathize instantly.

These spots also show off how skillful editing can enhance the message. In all three spots, the music perfectly complements the stories being told, weaving in and out of the voices. That’s harder to do with news and talk programming, since layered voices tend to confuse our ears.

Stations can learn more about My Source at the initiative’s website, where they can find spots to use and contribute their own.