eNewsletter | March 2011

Contents:

Help protect Public Broadcasting!
Sara Hessel wins the prestigious Gracie Award®
March Programming News: Women's History Month
Win Tickets to hear the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
This Month on Classical Austin
Arts and Community Groups: Volunteer at KMFA
March Programming Guide

Help protect Public Broadcasting!
Congress will take a critical vote in the next few days that could lead to the elimination of all federal support for local public television and radio stations. Last Saturday the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution that eliminates federal funding for all public broadcasting. Early next week, the Senate will begin work on their version of the bill, and it is critical that they hear how important public broadcasting is to their constituents.

Although the majority of KMFA’s revenue comes from individuals and business in our community, losing 10% of our revenue would force us to make some difficult decisions.

Federal funding helps all public media stations deliver educational and commercial-free programming that offers a wide range of quality programs that bring you the worlds of music, theater, dance and art. If you love stations like KMFA, click here to read more about how this affects us, and what you can do to help.

Sara Hessel wins the prestigious Gracie Award®
The Alliance for Women in Media has announced the 2011 winners of the annual Gracie Awards®, and KMFA’s own Sara Hessel is among them! Ms. Hessel won for her program, Michael Nyman: Motion and Emotion, produced and broadcast from the studios of KMFA.

“In producing Michael Nyman: Motion and Emotion, I hoped to draw attention to the full scope of his activities as a composer, beyond his famous score for The Piano. His music is so immediately appealing, and his musical language manages to be contemporary and timeless all at once,” says Ms. Hessel. “It’s an incredible honor that this program was chosen by the Alliance for Women in Media to be the recipient of a Gracie Award!”

The Gracie Award® promotes programming created for women, by women and about women, as well as individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the industry. Congratulations, Sara, for this prestigious award!

March Programming News: KMFA highlights the work of women composers
March is Women’s History Month, so be sure to join Kathryn Mishell and Dianne Donovan Fridays during March as they discuss the work of women composers. They will present music by composers as wide-ranging as Hildegard of Bingen (12th century) and Jennifer Higdon (winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize in music), plus many more! Kathryn Mishell is a composer, pianist and Artistic Director of Salon Concerts. You can hear KMFA’s Women’s History Month selections on March 4th, 11th and 18th at 10:02am.

Win Tickets to The Preservation Hall Jazz Band
As part of the Sarah and Ernest Butler Pops Series, the Austin Symphony Orchestra presents The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The band has traveled worldwide, spreading its mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, their music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit. Come celebrate Mardi Gras with the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Austin Symphony Orchestra, for one night only: March 5th.

If you would like to win a pair of tickets to this wonderful event, send an email to info@kmfa.org with the answer to this question: where did this band get its name? Send your email by the evening of March 2nd, and we'll draw one lucky winner from all the correct answers. Good luck!

Coming up on Classical Austin...
... host Dianne Donovan introduces us to some of the creative leadership behind some of our favorite Classically Austin arts events. 

Coming up this month, the spotlight is on “Salon Concerts,” featuring performances by guest artists and a conversation with Kathryn Mishell. Also, a conversation with violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn, discussing “The Red Violin” — she’ll play it for the upcoming Salon Concerts' CHAMPS fundraiser.

We'll also hear from the young musicians of the Pearl Amster Youth Concerto Competition, as well as a preview from Austin Symphony's Conductor and Artistic Director, Peter Bay.

Stay tuned to Classical 89.5 to hear what's next on Classical Austin. Airtime is Wednesdays, 8 pm.

Community Groups: Volunteer During our Spring Membership Drive!
Our Springtime membership drive is coming up this month. Join in on our fun by signing up your arts-related community group to be Membership Drive volunteers. If you volunteer as a group (2 or 3 people during a 3-hour shift), we'll thank you on the air! You can help KMFA and your own group at the same time. Volunteers answer our pledge phones and enjoy great food donated by local restaurants. Contact Cara Kannen at membership@kmfa.org, or call (512) 476-5632 for more information.

Download the March Program Guide here.

Since 1967, Classical 89.5 has been listener supported. Your KMFA memberships are what keep classical music alive on the radio in Central Texas.
Thank you for doing your part to share this music with your friends and neighbors and for being a part of the KMFA family.