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This time, I would like to introduce WCPE (https://theclassicalstation.org/), a radio station that provides only classical music 24 hours a day, without commercials. Based in Wake Forest, a small town north of Raleigh, North Carolina, WCPE has been operating for over 40 years with donations from listeners and a small staff and volunteer commentators (and nearly 200 volunteer-helpers).
Radio stations specializing in classical music are getting rarer, so they are invaluable, and thanks to the benefits of the Internet, WCPE fans are not only in their hometown in North Carolina, but all over the world.
Since 2006, when we moved to North Carolina, we have been listening to WCPE every day from the morning until the evening. With the countless repertoires and high-quality recordings aired uninterrupted, this luxury would not be possible without WCPE. Even without commercial sponsors, and the funding from government and educational institutions, because there are many WCPE fans who feel the same way, their independent policy of airing classical music 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (without commercials), has been maintained.
Most of the station's operating funds are obtained from donations during weekly fund-raising activities, held twice a year in spring and autumn. At that time, many listeners pledge as sustaining members.
The program has various themes depending on the day of the week and the time of day, and commentators. For example, the early morning slot is a program called “Rise and Shine”, with a lot of bright and refreshing music, a "commentary opera" on Thursday night, and "sacred music" on Sunday morning.
I could feel the passage of time in the day with the commentators’ voices and their choices of music. I am often surprised to find WCPE while driving away from home and feel relieved by the familiar voices from the station. Last year, the number of nighttime listeners increased. WCPE is always there, perhaps, when you cannot sleep, when you want to relax, or when you want to be energized. You may like to tune in and enjoy.
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