Wednesday, January 2, 2013

New Year's Classical Resolutions

The start of a new year always seems to present an opportunity to improve oneself. If you're reading this post, then chances are you:
1) Listen regularly to WTJU's classical programming
2) Know how to use a computer

If you'd like to enjoy classical music more in 2013, both of those skills will come in handy.

Resolution 1: Listen to more classical music on WTJU
 - We don't air classical music all day long, but you don't have to remember the schedule to know when to tune in. All of our programs are recorded and stored online, ready for you to replay at your convenience. Go to our tape vault (under the Streaming tab), and select the show you want to hear. You can even pre-sort by genre, so only classical programs display on the list.

So if you're a late riser, you can still enjoy all three hours of Dawn's Early Light. Just go to the tape vault on our website and press play to listen through your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Resolution 2: Learn more about classical music
 - There are quite a few on- and off-line resources, but two of the easiest to use are also the most popular (and confidentially they're the ones we use quite a bit, too) -- Wikipedia and YouTube.

While Wikipedia can have accuracy issues, its entries about classical composers, famous works, and style periods are generally pretty accurate (although somewhat abbreviated on more obscure composers). And if the Wiki entry doesn't have the info you want, the websites cited at the bottom of the article usually will.

YouTube is more than just funny videos about cats in bags and dogs on skateboards. A surprising amount of classical music is available on the site, a good deal of it in good quality audio. Perhaps you're curious about the symphonic music of Joachim Raff. A quick search on YouTube will pull up several of his symphonies, concertos and chamber works. All available for you to listen to for free (like Raff's 3rd Symphony, below).


Resolution 3: Be a better member of the WTJU listener community
 - OK, I'm pretty sure no one will actually make such a resolution, but they should. WTJU is here to serve its listeners, but can only do so with support from said listeners. You don't have to wait for a fund drive to pledge your support to the station -- you can do it anytime 24/7 on our website.

So when you go access the most recent episode of A Time For Singing or Classical Cafe to play back, why not make a side trip via the Donate Now button?

Our resolution is to continue to improve the quality of the service we provide you, and improve the quality of the classical music we present.

Here's to a wonderful new year to us all.

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