WMHT-FM
Encyclopedia
WMHT-FM is the callsign of a classical music
and NPR radio station licenced to Schenectady, New York
, broadcasting on 89.1 MHz with 11 kW ERP
from the Helderberg Mountains antenna farm in New Scotland, New York
. It is sister station to WMHT
, the PBS
member station for the Albany/Schenectady/Troy market.
WMHT-FM programming is also heard on a part-time basis on sister station WRHV-FM in Poughkeepsie
, which is involved in one of the last timeshare arrangements in the United States alongside State University of New York at New Paltz
-owned WFNP-FM
. From October 2005 to March 2006, WMHT-FM programming was also heard on WBKK
in Amsterdam prior to WMHT starting its own, younger-oriented classical music on that station.
leaving the classical format in 1969
and an ensuing protest from prominent members of the community. With the rise of PBS stations launching sister NPR affiliates and WAMC
preventing WMHT from such an opportunity, WMHT decided to go in a different direction by taking on the classical format. After paying Siena College
owned WVCR-FM
to vacate their 89.1 frequency, WMHT-FM would soon sign on.
WMHT-FM's signature program is "Bach's Lunch," a program originally conceived by Pam Mittendorff and Chris Wienk of WSHU-FM
. Wienk brought the program to WMHT-FM after it stopped airing on WSHU-FM in Fairfield
.
In July of 2007, WMHT launched "Exit 97.7" which features local jocks Dave Michaels in morning drive, with station manager Chris Wienk handling afternoons.
Programming will also include two daily runs of "World Cafe" from Philadelphia's WXPN and the new age show "Echoes" (which was already being heard at night on WBKK), as well as a local music show called "Local 518" on weekends."
"Our focus is on emerging artists, classic songs that regular radio has forgotten, and music from our region (our Local 518)." (Exit97.7online)
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and NPR radio station licenced to Schenectady, New York
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
, broadcasting on 89.1 MHz with 11 kW ERP
Effective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
from the Helderberg Mountains antenna farm in New Scotland, New York
New Scotland, New York
New Scotland is a town in Albany County, New York, United States. The population was 8,648 at the 2010 census.The town is southwest of Albany, New York, the state capital. New Scotland is centrally located in the county.-History:...
. It is sister station to WMHT
WMHT (TV)
WMHT is the call sign for a television station and radio station in Schenectady, New York owned and operated by WMHT Educational Telecommunications A non-profit corporation...
, the PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
member station for the Albany/Schenectady/Troy market.
WMHT-FM programming is also heard on a part-time basis on sister station WRHV-FM in Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
, which is involved in one of the last timeshare arrangements in the United States alongside State University of New York at New Paltz
State University of New York at New Paltz
The State University of New York at New Paltz, known as SUNY New Paltz for short, is a public university in New Paltz, New York. It was founded in 1828 as the School for teaching of classics. In 1885, the New Paltz Normal and Training School was established as a school to prepare teachers for the...
-owned WFNP-FM
WFNP-FM
WFNP is a college radio station licensed to Rosendale, New York run by students attending the State University of New York at New Paltz, broadcasting on 88.7 MHz at 6 kilowatts ERP from the Illinois Mountain tower in Lloyd, New York....
. From October 2005 to March 2006, WMHT-FM programming was also heard on WBKK
WBKK
WBKK is a radio station licensed to Wilton, Minnesota, but will serve the Bemidji market area. The station is owned by De La Hunt Broadcasting of Park Rapids, Minnesota and licensed to Edward De la Hunt, Sr. The station is currently operating under a construction permit.As of March 2010, it is...
in Amsterdam prior to WMHT starting its own, younger-oriented classical music on that station.
History
WMHT-FM holds the distinction of being the first noncommercial station to air an all-classical music format, a format that dates to its signon in 1972. The plans for the format came into being in the wake of WFLYWFLY
WFLY is a Contemporary Hit Radio station licensed to Troy, New York and serving New York's Capital District as well as the surrounding areas, including the Adirondacks...
leaving the classical format in 1969
1969 in radio
Significant events in radio broadcasting in the year 1969 included the debuts of two documentaries on rock and roll.-Events:*21–23 February: The History of Rock and Roll, a comprehensive 48-part documentary, debuts on KHJ in Los Angeles...
and an ensuing protest from prominent members of the community. With the rise of PBS stations launching sister NPR affiliates and WAMC
WAMC
WAMC is a public radio network headquartered in Albany, New York. As of April, 2011, the network comprised 11 transmitters and 11 translators. The organization's legal name is "WAMC" and it is also known as "WAMC Public Radio" or "WAMC Northeast Public Radio Network."In addition, the station...
preventing WMHT from such an opportunity, WMHT decided to go in a different direction by taking on the classical format. After paying Siena College
Siena College
Siena College is an independent Roman Catholic liberal arts college in Loudonville, in the town of Colonie, New York, United States. Siena is a four-year, coeducational, independent college in the Franciscan tradition, founded by the Franciscan Friars in 1937. It has 3,000 full-time students and...
owned WVCR-FM
WVCR-FM
WVCR-FM is a variety hits radio station owned by, and primarily staffed by students from, Siena College, located in Loudonville, New York...
to vacate their 89.1 frequency, WMHT-FM would soon sign on.
WMHT-FM's signature program is "Bach's Lunch," a program originally conceived by Pam Mittendorff and Chris Wienk of WSHU-FM
WSHU-FM
-External links:*...
. Wienk brought the program to WMHT-FM after it stopped airing on WSHU-FM in Fairfield
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
.
In July of 2007, WMHT launched "Exit 97.7" which features local jocks Dave Michaels in morning drive, with station manager Chris Wienk handling afternoons.
Programming will also include two daily runs of "World Cafe" from Philadelphia's WXPN and the new age show "Echoes" (which was already being heard at night on WBKK), as well as a local music show called "Local 518" on weekends."
"Our focus is on emerging artists, classic songs that regular radio has forgotten, and music from our region (our Local 518)." (Exit97.7online)
Original programming
- Bach's Lunch: A program of Baroque musicBaroque musicBaroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
airing on weekdays at noon. The host is Chris Wienk. - WMHT Live: A full-length concert program featuring recordings of recent classical concerts in the Capital DistrictCapital DistrictNew York's Capital District, also known as the Capital Region, is a region in upstate New York that generally refers to the four counties surrounding Albany, the capital of the state: Albany County, Schenectady County, Rensselaer County, and Saratoga County...
. - No Ticket Required: A program of concert excerpts featuring recordings of recent classical concerts in the Capital DistrictCapital DistrictNew York's Capital District, also known as the Capital Region, is a region in upstate New York that generally refers to the four counties surrounding Albany, the capital of the state: Albany County, Schenectady County, Rensselaer County, and Saratoga County...
. - Serenade: A program of classical music featuring nocturnes, adagios and andantes produced by Wayne Henning.