Classical Music Radio Returns to Area In September

A radio station dedicated to playing classical music is expected to begin broadcasting from Clayton in September.

St. Louis' only classical station, Classic99, went dark last year—much to the dismay of its fans who were stunned a city this size could not support even one classical station.

Clayton's Board of Aldermen on July 24 unanimously approved an operating permit for the Radio Arts Foundation project.

The station is expected to being broadcasting by Sept. 1 at HD2 signal 96.3 on digital broadcast receivers, general manager James Connett told the board.

An analog channel will be announced later pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission.

The Radio Arts Foundation previously supported Classic99, a station that no longer operates.

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The new station will operate in 2,000 square feet of space on the third floor of Centene Plaza, 7711 Carondelet Ave.

It will feature a reception area and workstation; a broadcast studio; a production studio; a small performance space; two workstation cubicles; a small kitchenette; a space for office machinery; and an engineering and store room, a memo from Connett to the city states.

Seven people are expected to be employed at the station.

The Lawrence Group is serving as the project architect. Clayco is the builder. 

The following is a look at the station's typical broadcast day, quoting from excerpts of Connett's memo:

12 a.m. to 6 a.m. — Classical music will be broadcast in long form (full length performances) featuring Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th century styles of music and from various composers and performers both instrumental and vocal.

6 a.m. to 10 a.m. morning drive — Live weekday host will present shorter form classical music, new releases, local artists along with arts news. There will be specialized short form programming such as Star Date, Composers Date Book and medical updates. Interviews in short form will be programmed in the 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. slot. Small performances may take place from time to time but not on a daily basis.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. midday programming — Live show host programs short medium and long form classical music will be broadcast. Periodic interviews and live performances around the noon hour will be scheduled.

On weekends opera and vocal music will be featured in this time slot.

3 p.m. to 7 p.m. afternoon drive — Live show host programming shorter for programming for the drive home. Features include new releases, web promotions, artist feature of the week. Arts news of the day, what's on tap the evening on radio and live performances around town. Periodic interviews and live performances and listener requests.

7 p.m. to midnight — Voice tracked long form programming with classical features from WFMT and others. … Weekends SLSO programming, jazz and blues features along with music from the Sheldon.

Chesterfield Patch Editor Jean Whitney contributed to this article.