Witt station waking up to classical music
Thursday, March 05, 2009
SPRINGFIELD — From R.E.M. and Sonic Youth to Franz Ferdinand and Animal Collective, college radio has always been on the edge.
So where does Beethoven fit in?
As it turns out, 6 to 10 a.m. weekdays.
Wittenberg University's student radio station, 89.1 WUSO, has started simulcasting the Dayton classical station WDPR Monday through Friday mornings.
So if you woke up recently expecting to hear Death Cab for Cutie, you weren't still dreaming — that really was Respighi.
The classical music joins another unlikely source of programming on WUSO — live broadcasts of the 10:30 a.m. service at St. John's Lutheran Church each Sunday.
The services began in December after the church's previous affiliate, WULM, gave up its local control.
"There's very little radio being broadcast from Springfield," said university spokesman Ryan Maurer. "89.1 doesn't have the greatest range ... but it's definitely an opportunity to get involved in the community."
The station, he said, doesn't have live announcers during those times anyway.
Each change in programming, Maurer said, was suggested by alumni.
Jim Lagos, a 1970 Wittenberg graduate and local businessman, is footing the bill to simulcast WDPR locally.
"Synergy is my favorite word in both English and Greek," Lagos said.
He sees internship possibilities for Witt students at WDPR.
And, for what it's worth, mornings on WDPR are hosted by Larry Coressel — a lifelong Springfield resident.