[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H734-H736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
KEEP CLASSICAL MUSIC ALIVE IN ST. LOUIS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today joining with my
friend and colleague, Congressman Lacy Clay, to speak out on an issue
that is very important to both of us and our constituents, the
continued existence of an over-the-air classical music station.
The sale of KFUO-FM by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is
currently pending before the Media Bureau at the FCC, and both myself
and Congressman Clay have been contacted by our constituents concerned
that the purchaser of the station may cease the classical programming,
which so many residents of the St. Louis and Metro East communities
have benefited from over the years.
KFUO-FM has been a proud partner with almost every cultural
organization in the St. Louis area. It is also heard internationally
through live streaming on the Internet. Classic 99, as KFUO is also
known, features a large amount of programming for the fine arts
institutions of St. Louis, including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra,
the Opera Theater of St. Louis, the Repertory Theater of St. Louis, the
St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum and Historical
Society, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Touhill Performing Arts
Center of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, the Metropolitan Opera,
the Bach Society of St. Louis, the St. Louis Chamber Chorus, the
American Kantorei, the St. Louis Public Library, the St. Louis
Children's Choir, along with many others.
KFUO is in a virtual partnership with these institutions, as many
hours are given to these and other organizations for live broadcasting,
education, and information programming, as well as for promotion. The
loss of Classic 99 and its limitless contribution to the area's
community may have a negative impact on many, and to the quality of
life in the Metro East.
As many of my colleagues know, I am married to a classical musician.
I met Karen while she was working as the director of Christian
Education and Music at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Monterey,
California. When I started my life with Karen, I also began my life
with classical music. Karen has worked as a youth minister, church
music director, elementary music teacher, and private music instructor
of many different instruments. She has also guided each of our children
musically. All three of our boys are Suzuki-trained violinists. My
sons, David and Josh, have sung with the prestigious St. Louis
Children's Chorus. I credit their musical talents not only with my
wife's teaching, but also with exposure to classical music from an
early age. KFUO provides that critical early exposure to families all
over the St. Louis area that may not have a family member with a music
background.
To remove that sphere of influence I feel would be detrimental to
many children in our communities. Without Classic 99, I don't know if
many of the music institutions in the St. Louis area that rely on this
station would be able to get their music heard. Even our local high
school students have a chance to play on KFUO, an experience I'm sure
that is a highlight of their musical education.
Mr. Speaker, I felt this issue was especially important for me to
weigh in on today because, as a devoted Lutheran, I am concerned that
the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod does not realize how important these
classical broadcasts are to the Christian faithful in the St. Louis
area.
In most cases, Christian broadcasting and classical broadcasting are
synonymous. The loss of this classical programming eliminates the
witness to the Gospel through the broadcast of the words and music of
Bach, such as broadcast of ``Bach at the Sem.'' Also, the St. Louis
area would no longer be able to hear other Lutheran and Christian
composers as well through programs devoted specifically to the
Christian musical heritage, such as ``Joy'' and broadcasts of St. Louis
Bach Society programs and overt Lutheran Christian programming such as
``Sing for Joy'' and the Sunday morning service from Chapel of the
Cross in North County, St. Louis.
Music is an important part of Christianity and was an integral part
in the start of the Lutheran church. One of my favorite Martin Luther
quotes deals with the importance of music in the church, and I quote,
``Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the
agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and
delightful presents God has given us.''
From Bach to Mendelssohn, these talented musicians helped form the
Lutheran church that we know today. I cannot imagine a church service
without music, just as I cannot imagine St. Louis without KFUO-FM. It
is just as important part to the St. Louis and Metro East residents as
music is to Sunday mornings spent in worship. It is my sincere hope
that the Lutheran church will realize this before this station changes
its programming. It would be a loss to both the Christian community and
the music community, a loss which I hope will be prevented.
Let us remember the words from Psalm 27:5-6 ``For in the day of
trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the
shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head
will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle
will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the
Lord.''
Mr. Speaker, I am not here to say that the FCC should be dictating
programming choice when considering a sale of a station. Rather, I
would argue that the impact on cultural organizations and the impact on
local jobs should be considered when deciding on these sales. I would
like to enter for the record a petition to the LCMS Board of Directors,
which both myself and former Senator Conrad Burns has signed, in
addition to letters from musicians from all over the country that have
enjoyed Classic 99's live internet broadcasts.
Gerald Kieschnick,
President, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, St. Louis, MO.
Dear President Kieschnick: The Musicians' Association of
St. Louis, Local 2-197 AFM, is opposed to the sale of KFUO-
FM, the only classical music radio station in the St. Louis
metropolitan area, into a different format. This valuable
resource is one of the main venues for arts organizations and
has been a great tool in audience-building through live
broadcasts and advertising.
The loss of our beloved radio station will have a huge
impact on the arts in St. Louis:
Bach at the Sem, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and At The
Garden, Live!, will lose their broadcasts, which are heard
nationally through live streaming.
SLSO will lose a major advertising venue, which may hinder
ticket sales and fundraising efforts. They are now moving
forward after years of paycuts and freezes. Losing KFUO makes
recovery more difficult.
Many arts organizations in the greater metropolitan area of
St. Louis will lose a central advertising location in KFUO-
FM. The loss of KFUO makes advertising much more difficult
especially in these economic times.
President Kieschnick, Local 2-197 respectfully asks that
you reconsider and direct your Board to stop the sale now.
Respectfully,
Vicky Smolik, President,
Musicians' Association of St. Louis,
Local 2-197, AFM.
____
Cleveland Federation of Musicians, Local 4 of the American Federation
of Musicians
Cleveland, OH, January 29, 2010.
U.S. Congressman John Shimkus,
Springfield, IL.
Dear Congressman Shimkus, I am writing in support of the
effort to prevent the sale of KFUO 99.1 FM.
One of the oldest radio stations west of the Mississippi
River, and the longest continually-owned FM station in the
Saint Louis area, KFUO not only programs classical, opera and
jazz music, it is also a strong partner with the area's
cultural institutions. The sale of KFUO, from the Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS) to Gateway Creative
Broadcasting, Inc., would negatively impact those musical
genres in the Saint Louis local and regional community.
In addition, KFUO programming targets school-aged children,
and this sale would eliminate regular programming that allows
high school orchestral musicians and choral singers the
opportunity to perform for a radio audience, certainly a
unique chance for these young musicians.
I understand a petition has been filed with the Federal
Communications Commission alleging LC-MS did not properly
open up a competitive bidding process to the public. An FCC
investigation of this proposed transaction may deny the sale,
or subject the LC-MS to further conditions including an open
selection process.
In the wake of these allegations, and the potential loss of
the crown jewel of cultural radio programming in the Saint
Louis region, I sincerely urge you to join me in the fight to
save KFUO 99.1 FM.
Very Truly Yours,
Leonard DiCosimo.
[[Page H735]]
____
Approved KFUO Letters for Release to Press
Note: The Musicians Council has letters representing orchestral
musicians from California, Ohio, Missouri, North Carolina, Illinois,
Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Nevada.
To: The Trustees and Management of KFUO FM
From: Paul R. Frankenfeld, President, Local 1, AF of M
Subject: The Preservation of Classical Music on KFUO
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen: In an age when arts
organizations are struggling for survival, the continuation
of classical music on a radio station is vital to maintain
the ongoing community interest in symphony orchestras,
chamber music, and opera. The long and proud tradition of
service of this station to the broadcast of St. Louis
Symphony concerts is to be applauded. I strongly urge you to
continue this relationship by retaining the classical music
format of KFUO FM so that current and future generations will
have this resource to experience great art music.
Sincerely yours,
Paul R. Frankenfeld,
President, Local 1, American Federation of Musicians,
Acting Principal Viola, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
____
December 31, 1969.
To Whom It Concerns: Sometimes you don't realize how
important something is until it isn't there any more.
Milwaukee has been without a classical station since WFMR
abruptly changed 106.9 from classical to ``cool jazz'' (I
think) over two years ago--and every day since I've heard at
least one person mourn its loss.
It is not just the loss of hearing classical music on the
air-waves, though that is a great loss in itself--it is the
loss of announcers who were keenly interested in the musical
scene in Milwaukee, who brought Symphony and other musicians
in for interviews, who did feature stories about concerts
coming up, and who raised awareness about classical music in
greater Milwaukee.
My husband and I lived in St. Louis for a few months in
1990-91, and greatly enjoyed (among other things) our
opportunity to perform with David Halen on ``From the Garden
Live.'' We were amazed at how much excitement about local
music was generated by that program, and have spoken
enviously of it since, wishing that such an opportunity were
available to us here.
I am awed by KFUO's long-standing commitment to sharing the
fine arts and music which supports and enriches the
significant cultural community of the St. Louis area. I
earnestly hope that this honorable tradition will continue--
that the citizens of St. Louis will not be bereft of a
classical station, as we are, and that your great city will
continue to have the fine classical station that it deserves.
Respectfully,
Stefanie Jacob,
Pianist, Prometheus Trio Piano faculty, Wisconsin
Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee, WI.
____
January 11, 2010.
To whom it may concern: I have been a member of the
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for 29 years. Our local
classical music station, WQED-FM, went on the air for the
first time in 1973. It has been informing and enriching the
city of Pittsburgh and a large extended community on radio,
and the entire world streaming on the internet. In addition
to their extensive programming, our PSO concerts are
regularly broadcast on WQED as are over 100 local concerts by
other artists each year. It would be a great loss both to
Pittsburgh and the greater Pittsburgh area if we were to lose
our station. (By the way, WQED-TV was this country's first
community supported TV station).
I would like to see KFUO-FM maintained as a classical music
radio station for St. Louis, and through live streaming, the
entire United States. I applaud KFUO's long-standing
commitment to sharing the fine arts and music which supports
and enriches the significant cultural community of the St.
Louis area. KFUO-FM has not only been responsible for
promoting arts events in Missouri and Illinois, but is also
steward of the countless contributors and listeners who have
made KFUO-FM possible for the past 62 years. Please continue
that trust by preserving KFUO-FM as a classical station.
You have a wonderful symphony orchestra and not only would
they be affected by this, St. Louis would be diminished in
the eyes of the educated public, and children will certainly
miss out on the joy of discovering classical music on the
radio.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Busch,
Violist, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
____
Austin Federation of Musicians,
Austin, TX.
To whom it concerns: KFUO-FM has been partnering with the
cultural community in St. Louis for over 60 years. KFUO's
participation in the fine arts enriches the greater
metropolitan area, including Eastern Missouri and parts of
Illinois. Through live streaming, KFUO-FM is also heard
throughout the United States and the world, proclaiming St.
Louis as a major cultural community. Losing KFUO-FM adversely
impacts all cultural institutions in the St. Louis area.
Please stop this sale. Thank you for your assistance.
In solidarity,
Terry Hale,
President AFM33, Austin, TX.
____
Note: this petition is comprised of 41 prominent Lutheran
Church-Missourians, including a United States Senator, who
are opposed to the sale of KFUO-FM because of the adverse
impact on the cultural community in the Greater St. Louis
Metropolitan Area, especially the many world-class fine arts
institutions.
KFUO/LCMS Petition to the LCMS Board of Directors
May 8, 2009.
(List of names augmented June 29, 2009)
Dear Members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Board of
Directors, Not unmindful of your responsibilities, and aware
of the challenges presented Synod by current economic
conditions, we ask you, nevertheless, to reconsider your
decision on behalf of our Synod that authorized the sale of
KFUO-FM. A sale, in our view and that of many others, would
be very unfortunate. We are convinced that:
A vital mission of proclamation, nurture, outreach, and
community relations is being conducted by KFUO-FM and these
missions can be expanded and enhanced in the future;
A sale would damage the good name and reputation of The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in its headquarters city and
around the world;
A sale would disenfranchise and severely disappoint many
thousands of individuals and organizations that have provided
virtually all the financial and volunteer support for the
station throughout its history;
KFUO-FM is the source sustaining KFUO-AM. Its sale would
surely be followed by AM's demise.
There are attractive alternatives for retaining KFUO-FM,
thereby also ensuring the future of KFUO-AM. These should be
explored with time and opportunity being given for their
advancement.
Respectfully yours in Christ,
Dr. Andrew H. Bartelt (Executive Vice President for
Academic Affairs, Concordia Seminary).
Dr. Karl L. Barth (President Emeritus, Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis).
Dr. Robert Bergt (Director, The American Cantorei and
``Bach at the Sem'' concert series).
The Rev. Keith Boheim (The Marvin M. Schwan Charitable
Foundation).
Dr. Ralph A. Bohlmann (President Emeritus, The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod).
The Rev. Larry Burgdorf (The Marvin M. Schwan Charitable
Foundation).
Senator Conrad Burns (United States Senator, Retired).
Dr. Paul W. Devantier (Senior Vice President, Advancement,
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis).
Richard W. Duesenberg (Attorney at Law; co-founder, ``Bach
at the Sem'' concert series).
Robert H. Duesenberg (Attorney at Law; co-founder, ``Bach
at the Sem'' concert series).
Dr. Charles W. Dull (Former Director, Hong Kong
International School).
The Rev. Alan Erdman (President, Lutheran Family and
Children's Services of Missouri).
Dr. Jean Garton (Former member Board of Directors, Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod).
Oscar H. Hanson (Former member Board of Directors, Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod).
Dr. John F. Johnson (Former President, Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis).
Dr. James W. Kalthoff (President Emeritus, The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod).
Dr. Robert H. King (Former Vice President, The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod).
The Rev. Jerry Klug (President, Clara and Spencer Werner
Foundation).
Ruth M. Koch (Chair, Concordia Publishing House Board of
Directors).
Thomas Kopatz (Managing Partner, Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans).
Dr. Jonathan Laabs (Executive Director, Lutheran Education
Association).
Michael Louis (Senior Vice President, Financial Planning
and Administration, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis).
Laurence Lumpe (Executive Director, Lutheran Hour
Ministries).
Dr. Paul L. Maier (Second Vice President, The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod).
Dr. Walter A. Maier, II (Former Second Vice President, The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod).
The Rev. Ulmer Marshall (Former member Board of Directors,
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod).
Dr. Dale A. Meyer (President, Concordia Seminary, St.
Louis).
Dr. Judith W. Meyer (President, Lutheran High School
Association of St. Louis).
Michael Onnen (President, International Lutheran Laymen's
League).
Gerald Perschbacher (Editor, ``The Lutheran Layman,''
International Lutheran Laymen's League).
Dr. Richard D. Peters (Former member Board of Directors,
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod).
James F. Ralls (Chair, Board of Regents, Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis).
[[Page H736]]
Dr. Walter Rosin (Secretary Emeritus, The Lutheran Church-
Missouri Synod).
Representative John Shimkus (United States Congressman,
Illinois).
Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto (Former Religion Editor, United Press
International).
The Rev. Jonathan P. Stein (Regular Pastor on FKUO-FM for
more than 20 years).
Dr. Richard L. Thompson (Former Chair, Board of Directors,
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod).
Edwin A. Trapp, Jr. (Former member Board of Directors,
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod).
Dr. James Voelz (Dean of the Faculty, Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis).
Phyllis Wallace (``Woman to Woman,'' Lutheran Hour
Ministries).
John D. Wittenmyer (Vice-Chair, Board of Regents, Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis).
____________________