Bay Area Classical Music Stations You Must Check Out

From KUSF to KALW, these are the best Bay Area classical music stations you must check out!

KUSF 90.3

KUSF 90.3 is a non-profit, student-run radio station that has been a part of the San Francisco music scene since the early 1970s. The station provides an eclectic mix of classical music, jazz, and world music, and is a great place to discover new music.

History

KUSF was an independent, non-commercial radio station in San Francisco, California, broadcasting at 90.3 MHz FM. It was one of the last remaining freeform radio stations in the country, and featured a wide range of music genres, including rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, electronic, new age and world music. KUSF was founded in 1966 by a group of University of San Francisco students led by station manager Dennie Thorpe. The station originally operated out of a small room in the campus basement before moving to its current location on Turk Street in the city’s Tenderloin district.

KUSF began broadcasting on January 1st 1967 as “Your Sound Alternative”, with a freeform format that emphasized album-oriented rock and local singer-songwriters. In the early 1970s, the station evolved towards a more eclectic mix of music genres including jazz, classical and world music. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw a shift towards punk rock and new wave music, followed by a return to its roots in the 1990s with a focus on Americana and independent rock.

Despite its relatively small listener base, KUSF was one of the most influential radio stations in the Bay Area. It was one of the first stations to give airtime to local bands like Metallica and Primus, and was an important platform for up-and-coming DJs like Danger Mouse and Grandmaster Flash. In its 50 years on the air, KUSF played an important role in shaping the Bay Area’s musical identity.

Sadly, on January 18th 2017 KUSF’s broadcast license was sold to Classical Public Radio Network Inc., who immediately took the station off the air. The sale came as a surprise to both listeners and staff, many of whom had no idea that the station was up for sale. Classical Public Radio Network Inc., is run by former KUSJ general manager Michael Zatzman known for his orchestrating other public radio station sales..

Programs

Since its founding in 1963, KUSF has been an integral part of the Bay Area’s musical landscape. The station’s programming encompasses a wide variety of musical genres, including classical, jazz, new music, rock, and more.

KUSF’s commitment to classical music is evident in its varied programming. The station offers several programs that are dedicated to the genre, including “Classical matinees” and “The Saturday Symphony.” In addition, KUSF regularly broadcasts live performances from the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

KUSF’s classical music programming is diverse and engaging, making it one of the best Bay Area classical music stations to check out.

KALW 91.7

KALW is a public radio station in San Francisco that features classical music 24/7. Whether you’re a fan of Bach, Beethoven, or Brahms, KALW has something for you. This station is perfect for those long drives or when you need some calm and relaxing music to help you focus.

History

91.7 KALW is San Francisco’s public radio station, broadcasting an eclectic mix of music, arts, and culture programming 24 hours a day. Our mission is to serve the public interest by providing a forum for news, information, and ideas.

KALW was founded in 1910 as the city’s first public school radio station. The station originally broadcasted from the old American Can Company factory in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood. In the early days, KALW was known as “the can-can station” because of its unusual broadcast location.

In the 1920s, KALW moved to its current location at 44 Montgomery Street in downtown San Francisco. The station went off the air during World War II, but resumed broadcasting in 1945 with a schedule of classical music and fine arts programming.

Today, KALW is still going strong, serving Bay Area listeners with a unique mix of music, arts, and culture programming. Thanks for tuning in!

Programs

Kalw 91.7 is a public radio station in the San Francisco Bay Area. The station is owned by the University of California, Berkeley, and is a part of National Public Radio. Kalw 91.7 offers a variety of programming, including news, talk shows, and music. The station also offers online streaming of its programming.

Programs:
-All Things Considered
-BBC World Service
-California Report
-Car Talk
-Fresh Air
-Morning Edition
– NPR News Now
-Talks Machina

KQED 88.5

KQED is a public media station based in San Francisco that offers a variety of programming, including classical music. If you’re a fan of classical music, then you’ll definitely want to check out KQED. Here’s what you can expect from this station.

History

KQED Public Radio, home of Forum and The California Report, is one of the most listened-to public radio stations in the nation with an award-winning news and information program. KQED’s main radio station is located at 88.5 FM in San Francisco, with additional broadcast services at 89.3 FM in Sacramento, 88.3 FM in Santa Rosa and 90.9 FM in San Jose.

KQED Public Radio first went on the air on October 6, 1953 as the first public radio station west of the Mississippi River. In its early years, KQED was a flagship station for NPR, broadcasting many of NPR’s earliest programs including “All Things Considered” and “Talk of the Nation.”

KQED is a member-supported public radio station governed by a community-based Board of Directors. Its programming is also available online, on mobile devices and on satellite radio.

Programs

If you love classical music, there are plenty of great radio stations in the Bay Area that you can tune into. Here are a few of our favorites:

KQED 88.5 is a public radio station that offers a great mix of classical music and other programming. They have a wide variety of shows that focus on different aspects of classical music, and you can even listen to live concerts from time to time.

KSQD 90.7 is another great option for classical music lovers. This station is run by Santa Cruz Public Radio, and they offer a wide range of programming that includes both local and national content.

Another great station for classical music lovers is KUSC 91.5. This station is run by the University of Southern California, and they offer a wide variety of programming that includes both local and national content.