Goetz to host Afternoon Program on VPR Classical beginning Monday, August 27

August 24, 2007

Vermont Public Radio welcomes Joe Goetz to the VPR staff. His passion for classical music, coupled with his vast musical knowledge and playful approach, is a natural for VPR Classical, Vermont Public Radio's all-classical music network. Goetz will host weekday afternoons, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on VPR Classical beginning Monday, August 27, 2007.

Goetz came to Vermont Public Radio from KCME, the independent classical music station in Colorado Springs. He began at KCME while a student, quickly gathering a following. He holds a B.A. in Music from Colorado College and is a concert pianist. Most recently he performed with the prestigious Bowed Piano Ensemble from Colorado College, appearing at the 2007 Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC and in Germany this past spring.

Originally Goetz had planned to become a scientist in the field of meteorology and atmospheric physics. But he said the hours in windowless laboratories soon took their toll. Having played the piano for most of his life, it wasn't until a music composition course midway through his sophomore year in college that he decided to pursue a career in music and fine arts broadcasting. VPR Classical provides the world's best classical music 24-hours a day. Local hosts Cheryl Willoughby, Walter Parker and Joe Goetz provide a thoughtful framework for the music, welcoming listeners whether they are a casual or a passionate classical music fan. There is a sense of discovery with each performance, each artist, each composer, as each brings a unique perspective to the music. Entire works are featured, with a broad repertoire that includes vocal (choral and opera) and contemporary music. And listeners are introduced to new artists and recordings whose performances reflect the exciting, changing landscape of styles and performance practice. Musical connections are made; helping listeners think about what was happening culturally or politically at the time a piece was written; to learn a bit about the composer's background or motivation for a particular piece.

VPR Classical can be heard at 88.1 in Norwich, 95.1 in Sunderland/Manchester, 93.5 Bennington, 103.9 Hanover, 106.9 Manchester, 99.5 Middlebury, 99.5 Newbury, and at 106.9 in Woodstock. The service will be heard in the Burlington/Plattsburgh region later this fall. VPR Classical can also be heard in HD Digital Radio in northern Vermont at 107.9 HD-2 and in the Upper Valley at 89.5 HD-2. VPR Classical is available everywhere via online streaming at vpr.net.