Two weeks ago Steve Robinson, g.m. of WFMT-FM in Chicago, told the Sun-Times that the fundraising environment for his commercially licensed classical station was the worst he’d seen in his career. Fortunately for the station, it looks as if it may not be so terrible after all.
New prez at VPR, and other odds and ends
:: Robin Fenn was named president of Vermont Public Radio, which runs a network of classical stations throughout the state as well as news/talk outlets. Fenn has worked at the station for 20 years and most recently served as v.p. of development. She replaces Mark Vogelzang, who left VPR to work with a nationwide fundraising effort for public radio. More in the Burlington Free Press. CORRECTION (added 3/11/09): As you’ll see if you read the article, Robin Fenn is now Robin Turnau.
:: I got a kick out of this article about a shopping mall in Yellowknife, Canada, which falls into the “Is it real, or is it The Onion?” file. The Northern News Service reports that most people are glad the mall has stopped playing classical music on speakers at its entrances. The tactic was intended to keep people from hanging around outside the mall.
“It’s the Worst I’ve Ever Seen It”
WFMT Executive Vice President Steve Robinson has been doing pledge drives for more than 40 years. An article in the Chicago Sun Times quotes him as saying that this year, “it’s the worst I’ve ever seen it.” Look for the entire article here.
Tennessee jazz station could go dark
Granted, this post is about a jazz station, not a classical station. But when it comes to giving thoughtful music with modest commercial appeal a safe haven on the airwaves, we’re all in this together, right?
Middle State Tennessee University in Nashville could be looking to shut down and even unload WMOT-FM, an around-the-clock jazz station that claims a 40-year history. Local NBC affiliate WSMV reports that MTSU is trying to cut as much as $19 million from its budget. With that sort of burden, you might understand how a station ends up in this precarious situation.