WFMT General Public Info

They are now in their membership drive 11/2015…which I can’t stand. I joined last year, and they promised to send 3 CDS of Vera Gornostaeva… I got 1 duplicate and 2 others… I had wanted to give them as Christmas gifts… but ha that never happened. They didn’t come until well into January or February of 2015… today for $ 100 membership you get Gornostaeva again??? and some other things… too much boring talking… membership drive boring

I’m a WFMT subscriber & love this fine station for the quality & diversity of its classical programming. Historically, it has always been about the music not the host. But this didn’t seem to be true on the afternoon show with Susanne Nance. From 4 to 7, we could listen to music which served as mere background for her or not. I chose not to, so I’m very pleased she’s off to Portland.

WFMT is wonderful. I also grew up listening to it and reconnected over the internet recently. I disagree with the reviewer who states its quality has been declining. Having listened to many classical stations over the years, I can say WFMT has maintained the standard of edifying listeners with challenging music and programming that actually educates. Another reviewer complained that there are not enough war horses (my term, chestnuts would be more polite) played. Thank goodness for that! You’ll actually hear current music of living composers. Other stations might as well be easy listening or elevator music and that’s their goal. Chicago should be proud it has WFMT.

I grew up listening to WFMT and it’s still the station I have on most of the time, especially in the car on my way to and from work. Classical music is the soundtrack for my life. My favorite hosts are Carl Grapentine, Suzanne Nance, and Candice Agree. During the morning and afternoon rush hours, they play mostly shorter and lighter works that are enjoyable to listen to while driving.
I can thank my parents for introducing me to classical music at an early age. They paid for piano lessons and later on, violin lessons. The violin became my primary instrument, leading to several years playing with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and later on, the NU Symphony. Because of this early exposure to classical music, I find that my life is immensely enriched by having access to it on the radio, and WFMT helps fulfill that need.
I don’t agree with people that say this station plays a limited selection of music or that the presenters sound monotonous. WFMT has an extremely diverse schedule, offering everything from opera to folk music, symphonic works, chamber music, and choral and organ music. Much like the changeability of Chicago weather, if you don’t like what’s on at the moment, come back a little while later because it will be something different.

We also grew up listening to wfmt, but sadly we have been witnessing it’s slow degradation. Presenters sounding more and more monotonous, music selections that are less than inspiring. I agree with the reviewer who stated that wfmt focuses on a limited selection. If you hear a piece played, it’s likely to be played again in a few hours. Thank God for those stations that are available online. For example, the UK has Classic FM, which plays such a variety as to please any classical pallette. We are hooked and will never go back.

I’m very proud to say that I grew up listening to WFMT. It was constantly on in my house. And, while many classical radio stations –nationwide or in Chicago — have moved online or dissipated, WFMT has persevered. I think that this fact speaks volumes about its leadership and listener base.
The format is mainly classical music, although they do lean towards folk music on some evenings (um, no thank you). WFMT has it’s own traditions, such as all commercials are read, not recorded. There are no irritating commercial breaks. And, it’s funny when their stuffy voices read Red Lobster commercials.
I especially enjoy celebrating the birthdays of familiar composers. And, on those days,
expect to hear a day devoted to some of the more famous pieces and work of Bach/​Mozart/​Rachmaninoff.
Today, in my house, the tradition continues: I get the chance to share my love for this station with my children. And, I want you to know that I totally could have blended my feelings for this station with some Haydn wordplay, but chose not to (you’re welcome).