WKAR Public Media at Michigan State University, in partnership with WRCJ Detroit and WIAA Interlochen, is launching a new classical music radio series this January.
Great Lakes Concerts brings Michigan’s top ensembles to classical music lovers around the state in a new weekly radio series featuring concert performances recorded in Michigan’s Capital Region, Ann Arbor, Greater Detroit, Traverse City and beyond.
The series debuts at noon on Jan. 5 on WKAR 90.5 FM from East Lansing. Following the WKAR debut, the Great Lakes Concerts airs on partner stations at 10 a.m. Sundays on WRCJ 90.9 FM in Detroit and at 6 p.m. Mondays on Classical IPR 88.7 FM from Interlochen. The stations also stream the program at those times, giving listeners anywhere the opportunity to hear the best from the Great Lakes region.
WKAR’s Jody Knol hosts the show.
“The Great Lakes State has a wealth of regional orchestras and concert series quietly producing great music programs that go unheralded beyond their immediate communities,” Knol said. “We’ve been dreaming about a statewide program that would be a musical road trip visiting concert halls around the state.
“Our recent partnership with WRCJ and Classical IPR to air Detroit Symphony Orchestra concerts has paved the way to making Great Lakes Concerts a reality,” he said. “I am excited to take WKAR’s long-running Community Concerts series, expand its scope and share it with a statewide community of public radio listeners.”
“Our state is rich with gifted classical musicians,” said Susi Elkins, director of broadcasting and general manager at WKAR. “Though we enjoy many opportunities to hear talented artists perform great music, it’s impossible to attend every classical concert around Michigan. Now, WKAR offers the chance to hear the beauty and excitement of concert music from across our state.”
The Lansing Symphony Orchestra and Absolute Music Chamber Series will be featured in the series.
WRCJ offers recordings by the Michigan Philharmonic and Ann Arbor’s Academy of Early Music. Rounding out the ensemble array is the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, the Shoreline Music Society and the Baroque on Beaver Festival Orchestra.
Peter Whorf, WKAR radio station manager, is executive producer of the series.