Murray listeners have contributed over $10,000 to put the WKMS all-classical music channel on an FM source before summer. This service at 99.5 FM will carry the nationally syndicated Classical 24 dedicated to live classical music programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week, produced by American Public Media and distributed by Public Radio International. This channel is also available online at wkms.org, on HD radios, and at 92.5 Paducah and 105.1 Madisonville.
Into this service, called Classical 24, WKMS currently inserts the following national and local programs: From the Top, Sunday Baroque, Performance Today, Classical Encore, the Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation Series of Youth Ensemble Concerts as well as concerts of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra.
On February 13, 2014 WKMS marked the culmination of a month-long campaign in Murray at “A Classical Affair” hosted by Dr. Tim Miller, Murray State’s Interim President and First Lady Mrs. Patsy Miller at the University’s presidential residence Oakhurst.
Dr. Miller presented WKMS awards of appreciation to Murray State professor of music, Dr. John Dressler, for a pivotal role in producing the 91.3 FM and all classical channel program Classical Encore (Sundays, 5 to 7 a.m. and 9 to 11 p.m.) on a volunteer basis. Dr. Miller also recognized Murray State professor of social work, Dr. Peggy Pittman-Munke for her passionate support for the establishment of a classical FM service for Murray.
Daniel Sene, Executive Director for the Paducah Symphony Orchestra and Roger Truitt, PSO Board Chair spoke about the growth in subscription membership in the Symphony since Maestro Raffaele Ponti became Artistic Director and Conductor and offered concert vouchers for attendees. About 70 contributors attended the celebratory event catered by Artisan Kitchen of Paducah with beverage assistance provided by Cellar Door Wine and Spirits of Murray.
The steering committee for WKMS in the all classical channel campaign included: Dr. Peggy Pittman-Munke, College of Humanities and Fine Arts Dean Ted Brown, Department of Music Chair Dr. Pam Wurgler, and Dr. John Dressler. “A Classical Affair” music was provided by Kala Dunn and Allie Swann, flute duet, and Dr. Mee Youn Park, piano.
See more photos from the evening, on Facebook.
A full schedule of WKMS programming is available online at wkms.org. The station serves listeners in the Four Rivers Region of western Kentucky, southernmost Illinois and northwestern Tennessee with non-stop news and music. Stations include 91.3 WKMS-FM, Murray; WKMS HD-1 and All-Music HD-2; 90.9 WKMD and WKMD HD-1 and HD-2, Madisonville; 89.5 WKMT, Fulton; 99.5 Paris, Tenn., and All-Music 92.5 Paducah and 105.1 Madisonville. WKMS also offers both channels WKMS HD-1 and HD-2 at wkms.org, where program schedules and more are available. Information’s also available at 1-800-599-4737.
Contact: Membership Coordinator Jenni Todd (270-809-4748 or jtodd14@murraystate.edu)
