Comings, Goings, and Opportunities

Time for another round-up of personnel news in classical broadcasting.  If you know of any other news or job postings, please add them to the comments section!

2014 has been a time of transition at KMFA in Austin, Texas.  Music director (and early music specialist) Sara Hessel announced her impending departure in the spring, and not long after, the station abruptly dismissed program director Cheryl Dring.  Both positions have been replaced, although one has a new title.  John Clare, a veteran of several stations (and a victim of the mass layoffs at KPAC in 2013) has taken the position of Content Director, and Chris Johnson (a victim of another Texas massacre) is on board as the station’s new music director.  You can read more about the new regime at KMFA at their blog.

Meanwhile, Cheryl Dring has found employment as the new program director at Discover Classical 88.1 FM in Dayton, Ohio.

Gabe DiMaio, member of the PRPD board and longtime program director at WNED in Buffalo, New York, was laid off in August.  Curiously, his bio page is still visible on the WNED website, which I found after a simple Google search.  Gabe still had a vociferous presence at PRPD earlier this month, however, and I wish him all the best going forward.  He’s one of the good guys.

And speaking of the good guys (or in this case, the good gals), my good friend and mentor Cheryl Willoughby is back on the airwaves.  Cheryl was my boss when I started at Vermont Public Radio in 2007.  With the retirement of John Montanari from WFCR in Amherst, Massachusetts last year, Cheryl helped in the interim as a substitute host and music library consultant.  Now she has a permanent home on WFCR’s airwaves on Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm.

Meanwhile, a quick scan of several job sites (CPB and Current) doesn’t yield a lot of leads for those in search of work.  I did find a listing for General Manager at Interlochen Public MediaWNED is hiring a part time music librarian – though given the situation there, I’m not sure how that position will play out.  And last – but certainly not least – if you think you can fill some really big shoes on a part-time basis, Vermont Public Radio is hiring an afternoon classical music host.  Just be prepared for pen caps and paperclips to rain down on you from time to time from the neighboring cubicle, as Kari Anderson has deadly aim.

About Joe Goetz

Joe Goetz is Music Director for WFIU 103.7 FM in Bloomington, Indiana, and has eleven years of experience hosting and producing classical music programming for public radio. While completing his B.A. in Music at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO, Joe worked part time as a classical music host at KCME 88.7 FM. Following graduation, he worked as a classical music host and producer at Vermont Public Radio, developing new and engaging programming in addition to programming and hosting a daily afternoon air shift. He is an accomplished pianist with several chamber music performances to his credit, an occasional choir singer, and an avid golfer. He lives with his wife, Meghann, their son William, daughter Allison, and cats Ollie and Blanche.

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1 thought on “Comings, Goings, and Opportunities”

  1. Why oh why is VPR rehiring afternoons now?This makes no sense based on what they told listeners about your departure. You are so missed at 3:00pm!

    Reply

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