WBJC
Encyclopedia
WBJC is a public, non-commercial, radio station
owned by Baltimore City Community College
, in Baltimore, Maryland.
. The antenna was on the top of the school's tallest section and covered the City of Baltimore. Generally speaking the station operated a flexible schedule as it was largely dependent on student volunteers. Generally the station signed off at 5 PM, but sports events often extended the broadcast day and led to weekend operation. In 1953 or 1954, the Adult Education Department of the Baltimore Board of Education began the so-called "Evening Programs" from 7 to 11PM, seven days, which consisted of classical music and occasionally dramatic plays, using a volunteer staff of adults and music lovers, who produced the programs and published a monthly program guide.
Early FM radios often would not tune down to as low as 88.1 MHz, so Clarence DeHaven, who oversaw operation of the station, in addition to his teaching and administrative duties, asked the FCC to allow a change of WBJC's frequency to one which was adjacent to the frequencies used by commercial broadcasters. This coincided with the Junior College's move to its own campus on Reisterstown Rd. For many years the station occupied a wood frame house on the campus, with studios on the second floor. The "Evening Staff" volunteer program ended in the mid 1960s. Matt Edwards, a classical music commentator on New York's WNCN and WQXR for many years, started as an Evening Staff volunteer at WBJC while in his teens. The "Evening Staff" programs added to the variety of classical music that could be heard in Baltimore. WBAL-FM, WCBM-FM, and WITH-FM were fulltime classical music stations in the 50s and 60s, plus WFMM carried classical music at night.
and the antenna is near the junction of I-695
and Reisterstown Road
. The station's 50,000 watt signal reaches more than 180,000 listeners weekly across Maryland
, Washington, DC and portions of the surrounding states. Reception can sometimes be a problem, though; especially south and west of DC. The station's website offers advice on how to improve reception.
WBJC produces several programs. Past Masters showcases notable performances from the past. Face the Music has a panel of local musical experts listening and offering critiques of new recordings. Vocalise focuses on vocal music (the station usually does not play vocal music on a daily basis). WBJC Operafest presents classic opera recordings in their entirety. Toccata focuses on keyboard music. Late night/early morning broadcasts are provided by Minnesota Public Radio
.
WBJC's major competition in the classical music market is WETA (FM)
(90.9 FM), from Arlington, VA. This is also a non-commercial station broadcasting in the Washington, DC area.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
owned by Baltimore City Community College
Baltimore City Community College
Baltimore City Community College is a community college in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1947 and has about 7,200 students enrolled in one of its three campuses...
, in Baltimore, Maryland.
History
WBJC was originally on 88.1 MHz and broadcast with 250 watts effective radiated power. When it first went on the air in 1952, it was operated by students of Baltimore Junior College, which shared the campus of a Baltimore high school, known as Baltimore City CollegeBaltimore City College
The Baltimore City College , also referred to as The Castle on the Hill, historically as The College, and most commonly City, is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. The City College curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate Programme and emphasizes study in the classics...
. The antenna was on the top of the school's tallest section and covered the City of Baltimore. Generally speaking the station operated a flexible schedule as it was largely dependent on student volunteers. Generally the station signed off at 5 PM, but sports events often extended the broadcast day and led to weekend operation. In 1953 or 1954, the Adult Education Department of the Baltimore Board of Education began the so-called "Evening Programs" from 7 to 11PM, seven days, which consisted of classical music and occasionally dramatic plays, using a volunteer staff of adults and music lovers, who produced the programs and published a monthly program guide.
Early FM radios often would not tune down to as low as 88.1 MHz, so Clarence DeHaven, who oversaw operation of the station, in addition to his teaching and administrative duties, asked the FCC to allow a change of WBJC's frequency to one which was adjacent to the frequencies used by commercial broadcasters. This coincided with the Junior College's move to its own campus on Reisterstown Rd. For many years the station occupied a wood frame house on the campus, with studios on the second floor. The "Evening Staff" volunteer program ended in the mid 1960s. Matt Edwards, a classical music commentator on New York's WNCN and WQXR for many years, started as an Evening Staff volunteer at WBJC while in his teens. The "Evening Staff" programs added to the variety of classical music that could be heard in Baltimore. WBAL-FM, WCBM-FM, and WITH-FM were fulltime classical music stations in the 50s and 60s, plus WFMM carried classical music at night.
Current operations
The station broadcasts a 24 hours-a-day schedule of classical music and arts information programming. The station studios and office is located in Reisterstown, MarylandReisterstown, Maryland
Reisterstown is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland. Founded by German immigrant John Reister in 1758, it is located to the northwest of Baltimore. Though it is older than the areas surrounding it, it now serves primarily as a residential suburb of...
and the antenna is near the junction of I-695
Interstate 695 (Maryland)
Interstate 695 is a -long full beltway Interstate Highway extending around Baltimore, Maryland, USA. I-695 is officially designated the McKeldin Beltway, but is colloquially referred to as either the Baltimore Beltway or 695...
and Reisterstown Road
Maryland Route 140
Maryland Route 140 is a local long route in northern Maryland, United States.-Route description:MD 140 is known by various names depending on location; south of Reisterstown it is known as Reisterstown Road. Though Reisterstown itself is named after John Reister, the road is named after Jacob...
. The station's 50,000 watt signal reaches more than 180,000 listeners weekly across Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, Washington, DC and portions of the surrounding states. Reception can sometimes be a problem, though; especially south and west of DC. The station's website offers advice on how to improve reception.
WBJC produces several programs. Past Masters showcases notable performances from the past. Face the Music has a panel of local musical experts listening and offering critiques of new recordings. Vocalise focuses on vocal music (the station usually does not play vocal music on a daily basis). WBJC Operafest presents classic opera recordings in their entirety. Toccata focuses on keyboard music. Late night/early morning broadcasts are provided by Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio , is the flagship National Public Radio member network for the state of Minnesota. With its three services, News & Information, Classical Music and The Current, MPR operates a 42-station regional radio network in the upper Midwest serving over 8 million people...
.
WBJC's major competition in the classical music market is WETA (FM)
WETA (FM)
WETA is a non-commercial, public radio station in Washington, DC broadcasting a classical music radio format on 90.9 FM. Its studios are located in...
(90.9 FM), from Arlington, VA. This is also a non-commercial station broadcasting in the Washington, DC area.