WHRB Should Return To Classics

As a Cambridge resident and listener to WHRB's classical music broadcasts, I found ludicrous the comments made by disgruntled or former WHRB disc jockeys in your October 12th feature article.

The staff members quoted seem to think that the radio station exists only for them. One of the deejays complained that "the changes [in eliminating folk and rap while expanding classical] deprive student deejays of their musical interest." The absurdity of such a contention aside, the statement reveals an embarrassing ignorance concerning the responsibilities of broadcasters to the listening public.

Ten years of professional broadcasting in numerous formats taught me that jumbled programming so confuses the audience that you lose it almost entirely. WHRB's decision to distinguish itself mainly in classical and jazz is simply a wise decision, given Cambridge demographics and the relative lack of serious classical and jazz broadcasting in the area.

Boston University's WBUR lost its claim to serious classical music broadcasting ever since it introduced idle chatter between selections and its practice of playing single movements of larger pieces. The over-commercialized WCRB uses jingled commercials inconsistent with its format and is unimaginative in its programming. WGBH is simply limited.

Only Harvard's WHRB over the years has consistently shown strong, imaginative classical music programming. The Bach "orgy" in the early 80s will go down in broadcasting history. Its many orgies before and after have provided unparalleled opportunities for listeners to deepen their appreciation of the composer selected for celebration. Its daily blocks of classical music have filled much of the void in Boston's desolate airwaves.

WHRB chose rightly in increasing its commitment to classical music, thereby capitalizing on its tradition and reputation, while serving the public interest as well. The day WHRB allows its student staff to transform the station into a smorgasbord of musical interests will be the day its deejays start talking only to themselves. Charles G. Thomas