Now here’s a fresh look at diversity on classical radio:
In an article Dec. 8th by of Kenya, Voice of America reports that classical music is booming in Kenya.
The recent launch of a classical music magazine and a growing number of concerts and programs on radio stations are a sign of the new popularity. Supporters say this type of music can compliment traditional African beats.
This is not going to be a compendium of fundraising ideas for classical stations, so if you’re looking for the foolproof idea that will make your fundraising SING during a recession, sorry. I wanted to give non-radio types a look at what goes on behind the scenes.
It’s almost impossible for public classical stations to generate “earned income.” Radio has always been free — like the internet — so you can’t really sell the product, unless you’re satellite radio and force people to buy a special receiver and pay a subscription fee.
Educator, researcher, and violist Dr. Richard Greene responded to my post on diversity (Diversity is Everywhere, Except Classical Music) by sending me an article he published last year in the Philadelphia Inquirer. With his permission, I quote some passages from it.
My email is humming with messages from Albuquerque about KHFM. I listened online for a couple of hours today, and though two hours in a week are not necessarily representative of a 24/7 station, I did hear some things worth commenting on.