KQAC

KQAC

City of license	Portland, Oregon
Broadcast area	Pacific Northwest
Branding	All Classical FM
Frequency	89.9 MHz (also on HD Radio)
Repeaters	KQHR 88.1 FM/HD The Dalles/Hood River KQOC 88.1 FM/HD Newport/Lincoln City K242AX 96.3 FM Columbia River Gorge 107.1 K296FT (West Haven, relays HD2)
First air date	August 1, 1983 (as KBPS-FM)
Format	Classical music HD2: Local music (KZME)
ERP	5,900 watts
HAAT	440 meters (1,440 ft)
Class	C1
Facility ID	59343
Transmitter coordinates	45°30′59.00″N 122°43′58.00″W
Callsign meaning	K Quality All Classical
Former callsigns	KBPS-FM (1983-2009)
Affiliations	American Public Media, Public Radio International
Owner	All Classical Public Media, Inc.
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	allclassical.org

KQAC (89.9 FM, "All Classical 89.9") is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Portland, Oregon, USA. Established in 1983 as KBPS-FM, it broadcasts classical music and fine arts information to listeners in northwest Oregon, southwest Washington, and around the world via the Internet. According to Arbitron ratings, as of December 2010 KQAC is the second-highest performing classical music station in the United States. KQAC is owned by All Classical Public Media, Inc. a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

History

All Classical KQAC, originally KBPS-FM, began broadcasting on August 1, 1983. That year, Portland Public Schools applied for a license to create an FM station that would reach a larger audience than its KBPS 1450 AM station. Reed College agreed to slightly shift its FM station, freeing up the 89.9 frequency space on the dial. In the early years the programming of the new KBPS-FM station consisted of NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, syndicated programming such as Pipedreams and Minnesota Orchestra and educational programming. In the early years all programming was pre-recorded.

By the mid-1980s, then station production assistant Tania Thompson began live announcing during the morning hours. In 1986, John Pitman, a recent Benson graduate, began live announcing during the early evening hours. A third announcer was hired to work throughout the night beginning in 1988, eventually transforming All Classical 89.9 FM into a 24-hour classical station.

Over the decades, the continued growth of the two stations caused a space crisis. At the time, station manager Patricia Swenson and a team of community leaders initiated a campaign to build a new broadcast center with private funds. The new broadcast center was completed in 1992.

Before the new broadcast center was completed, voters passed an Oregon ballot measure authorizing a limitation on property tax rates in the state. As a result, the Portland Public School district faced severe budget cuts, which in turn affected funding to the two stations of KBPS. Operating cuts caused NPR membership to be discontinued in 1993 and volunteers took a more active role of support. Pledge drives became the most viable option for the survival of the two public radio stations.

In 2003, Portland Public Schools announced it was selling its KBPS FM broadcast license. All Classical 89.9 purchased the FM license. As part of the agreement, Benson Polytechnic High School proposed acquiring the call letters from All Classical (the BPS in KBPS stands for Benson Polytechnic School). As a result and in order to avoid confusion, All Classical 89.9 changed its metro call letters to KQAC (AC stands for All Classical) and transferred the KBPS back to Portland Public Schools in 2009. In addition, KQAC FM changed its official name from the previous KBPS Public Radio Foundation to All Classical Public Media, Inc to reflect the change of the call letters.

Improvements and recent history

On-air hosts at KQAC

In late 2010, All Classical FM became the second highest performing classical music station in the country, according to Arbitron ratings. Arbitron ratings also placed KQAC FM as the eighth most listened to station in Portland. In 2010, the top ten stations in Portland included one other public radio station and eight commercial stations. All Classical FM’s audience has grown to a recent peak in May 2010 of 249,000 listeners and the station has a 3.6 market share. The station has had a 58% increase in audience in the past two years. 46,000 additional individuals worldwide are reached each month through online streaming. The station broadcasts classical music 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

KQAC increased its power from 3,700 watts to 5,200 watts in January 2011 and later to 5,900 in May 2011. The increase extended coverage in the Portland area by ten miles in all directions and improved reception.

Repeater stations

The radio tower at the Columbia Gorge

The station began rebroadcasting its signal in Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast in 2008. The KQOC signal reaches Tillamook and Cannon Beach to the north and Yachats to the south. The station began rebroadcasting in the Hood River area in 2001 and in The Dalles in 2008. KQHR is the first radio station in the Columbia River Gorge with HD digital transmission. In the Fall of 2011, KQAC added a repeater station in McMinnville, Oregon that requires the listener to have a HD digital radio.

Transmitter	Location	Power (measured in watts)
KQAC 89.9	Portland/Vancouver	5,900
KQOC 88.1	Newport/Lincoln City	8,800
KQHR 88.1	Hood River/The Dalles and 96.3 Columbia River East Gorge	3,600
KSLC HD-2 90.3	McMinnville	750

Programming

In March 2010 a new program schedule was launched for the station, which utilizes fewer on-air staff and more locally produced programs.

A popular weekly program originating from KQAC is The Score with Edmund Stone. The first air-date was on April 8, 2006. Music and the movies delightfully combine as host Edmund Stone explores the classical music that enhances what we see on the screen. The Score plays every Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m and is available online on demand. In addition to airing locally, the program is also syndicated in multiple cities across the United States and internationally. In 2010 Bob's Red Mill signed on as the first national sponsor of the program.

Other programs produced by KQAC include:

"Saturday Matinee" : Saturday host Ed Goldberg leads a parade of favorites--a vibrant mix of opera, show tunes, great film themes, comic operettas and even American band music--every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"Northwest Previews" : John Burk hosts this weekly one hour program every Thursday at 6 p.m. Interviews by All Classical on-air staff highlight outstanding classical events in the Portland area for the coming week.

"Club Mod" : Host Robert McBride explores modernism, past and present, on this two-hour show, which airs at 8 p.m. every Saturday.

"Backstage At The Opera" : Host Christopher Mattaliano airs this show the first Saturday of every month, 30 minutes prior to the Metropolitan Opera Radio broadcast, usually at 9:30 a.m.

"Played in Oregon" : Host Christa Wessel celebrates the classical music scene in Oregon. The one-hour weekly program airs Sundays at 1 p.m.

Syndicated programs aired on KQAC:

"Chicago Symphony" : The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of five American orchestras commonly referred to as the the "Big Five." Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival. The music director is Riccardo Muti, who began his tenure in 2010.Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with your host Lisa Simeone, brings unparalleled live performances to our airwaves every Sunday evening from 6 to 8.

"Classical Guitar Alive!" : The mission of Classical Guitar Alive is the betterment of mankind through music, and they seek to achieve this by bringing classical guitar music to the widest possible audience. The classical guitar and its ancient musical ancestors are uniquely qualified to inspire, lift the spirit, ease suffering and heal the listener. Many cultures and histories, from present-day to Biblical times, mention listeners being soothed by the sound of a guitar, a lute, a lyre, and countless others. Classical Guitar Alive airs each week on Sunday 9-10 am with host Tony Morris.

"From the Top" : For the past decade, From the Top has been the preeminent showcase for America’s best young musicians. Hosted by pianist Christopher O'Riley, From the Top shares the stories and performances of pre-collegiate musicians ages 8 to 18. Each program provides a compelling and entertaining window into the world of a diverse group of young people, who pursue life with passion, determination, and joy.

"Composers Datebook" : Composers Datebook, with host John Zech, is a daily two-minute program designed to inform, engage, and entertain listeners with timely information about composers of the past and present. Each program notes significant or intriguing musical events with appropriate and accessible music related to each. Composers Datebook airs seven days a week at 9 a.m. and again at 6 p.m.

"Harmonia" : Harmonia is a weekly one-hour radio program, takes listeners back in history to the cathedrals, fairs and stages of the past, teaching listeners about history as documented by musicians of the periods. Through brilliant performances by today’s early music artists and insightful commentary, listeners experience the richness of early music history and culture. From the sublime realm of Chant to the passion of an Italian Baroque violin sonata, Harmonia casts new light on the music of the distant past. Harmonia, with your host hosted by Angela Mariani, is a production of WFIU Public Radio in Bloomington, Indiana.

"Metropolitan Opera" : Launched in 1931, the Metropolitan Opera’s Saturday matinee broadcasts are the longest-running continuous classical music program in radio history. The 82st season kicked off December 3, 2011, with Handel’s Rodelinda, starring Renée Fleming, Stephanie Blythe, and Andreas Scholl. Twenty-three broadcasts will be presented on the Toll Brothers–Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network through May 5, 2012. Margaret Juntwait, pictured, returns as the series’s host for her eighth season, joined by commentator Ira Siff. The Metropolitan Opera Saturday broadcasts air every Saturday morning throughout the season at 10 a.m. unless otherwise specified.

"New York Philharmonic" : The weekly New York Philharmonic radio concert series, hosted by Alec Baldwin, airs on Sunday evenings from 6 to 8. Syndicated to more than 300 radio stations nationally by the WFMT Radio Network, the New York Philharmonic makes its home in Avery Fisher Hall, in New York's Lincoln Center. Alan Gilbert, named to lead the Philharmonic at the start of the 2009-10 season, is among the youngest music directors in the orchestra's 168-year history, and the first who is a native New Yorker. Mr Gilbert succeeded Lorin Maazel, who served as music director from 2002.

"Pipedreams" : Michael Barone, the eloquent and good-humored host of Pipedreams, spotlights extraordinary pipe-organ instruments and performers playing awe-inspiring music. Pipedreams, from American Public Media, airs every Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m.

"Weekend Performance Today" : Weekend Performance Today, from America Public Radio, features live concerts by famous artists in concert halls around the globe, along with interviews and performing arts news. Host Fred Child presents highlights from the preceding week's offerings and combines them into a two-hour broadcast. Weekend Performance Today airs Sunday evenings from 8 to 10.

KQAC, KQHR, and KQOC rely on listener contributions, which provide over two-thirds of their budget. They also receive financial support from local businesses and arts organizations that underwrite their programming through on-air sponsorships. Additionally, a small portion of their annual budget comes from various foundation grants and from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. All Classical also has extensive volunteer support and an internship program. Potential volunteers and interns can inquire at All Classical's official website.

References

• CPB 2009 "My Source" Community Engagement Award
• Public Radio Exchange: The Score with Edmund Stone
• Portland Public Schools sell KBPS-FM (June 30, 2003)

External links

• KQAC official website
• Query the FCC's FM station database for KQAC
• Radio-Locator information on KQAC
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for KQAC
• Query the FCC's FM station database for KQOC
• Radio-Locator information on KQOC
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for KQOC
• Query the FCC's FM station database for KQHR
• Radio-Locator information on KQHR
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for KQHR
• Query the FCC's FM station database for K242AX
• Query the FCC's FM station database for K296FT