UPDATE FOR 2/28/14:
Thanks to everyone who has provided feedback about the VPR Classical restructuring. Hearing your comments reminds us how important a responsibility we have to our listeners and supporters. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously, and we carefully consider any change we make to our programming. Again, this was a very difficult decision for VPR and not one we made lightly.
Our listeners tell us all the time that our hosts are like family. Radio is an intensely personal medium and we understand how difficult it is to adjust to a change like this.
Our on-air hosts are a very important part of our programming, but there are many other factors that contribute to VPR being a successful public service. As we began to implement our three-year strategic plan, we determined that hiring a Managing Producer for VPR Classical is the key to improving our service in the coming years. The new position has an extensive job description whose core function includes supervision of the classical staff, as well as on-air hosting, fundraising, digital initiatives, and more.
When it comes to personnel matters, VPR is limited regarding the details that can be shared, and there is never a good time to make these kinds of changes. However, VPR is actively working with Joe to make this difficult transition as smooth as possible and is certain with his skills and talents he'll ultimately be very successful.
Again, while we know this is difficult, our hope is that the end result will be a better service for everyone. Thank you for your support and patience.
ORIGINAL POST 2/17/14:
In order to meet the needs and expectations of our listeners in the years to come, VPR recently made the decision to restructure the staff of VPR Classical and hire a Managing Producer.
In addition to on-air hosting and producing responsibilities, VPR Classical's Managing Producer will supervise the classical staff and work with them to unify vision, content, and community engagement. This restructuring ultimately will improve VPR Classical's service and our ability to help foster the rich classical music community in Vermont.
As a result of this change, the position of VPR Classical Host/Producer, held by Joe Goetz, has been eliminated. Joe joined VPR Classical as the afternoon host in 2007. During his tenure, he brought a wide variety of classical music to his daily program, and welcomed numerous musicians into VPR’s Performance Studio.
Most recently, Joe has been a central part of VPR Classical’s Beethoven Project and the follow-up Beyond Beethoven, collaborations with Burlington Ensemble to make classical music more accessible to a new generation of listeners. In addition, Joe introduced listeners to incredible new talent through the Student Composer Showcase, featuring compositions by high school-age students involved in the MUSIC-COMP program.
This change was made after a great deal of deliberation and not one we made lightly. We want to thank Joe for his energy and enthusiasm for classical music, and for his many contributions to VPR Classical.
At a time when classical music stations are disappearing from the airwaves, VPR remains steadfast in its commitment to keeping classical music alive and available on the radio. VPR Classical has expanded significantly in recent years to serve more communities across our region with new stations in Randolph, Middlebury, Brattleboro, Rutland, and Montpelier. Our new three-year strategic plan, adopted in June 2013, calls for more locally-produced programs that reflect and celebrate our robust musical landscape, and community engagement to raise awareness and share the joy of classical music with even more listeners. Hiring a managing producer for VPR Classical will help this vital music service grow and thrive in the future.
Kari Anderson and Walter Parker will continue sharing their extensive knowledge and passion for the music on weekdays, with other highlights like Passion For Opera with Peter Fox Smith, Performance Today with Fred Child, Sunday Baroque,From the Top, and concerts by the Boston Symphony Orchestra throughout the week. Until we hire the Managing Producer, on weekday afternoons you’ll hear music from our colleagues at Classical 24, a classical music service produced by Minnesota Public Radio.
We thank you for your continued listening as we look forward to a bright future for classical music in our region. Stay tuned for more details.
