Sheila Chisholm
“FINE Music Radio brought me back.” Those were the first words a woman spoke after coming out of a two-week coma. Her family, despairing she’d ever regain consciousness and knowing her love for Fine Music Radio (FMR), had placed a transistor radio – tuned into the station – at her bedside. FMR’s quality day and night music, somehow, reached into her deepest subconscious, slowly waking her up.
Then there’s the story of a doctor calling a presenter to say: “I am in charge of terminally ill HIV/Aids children at Karl Bremmer Hospital. This morning on my ward rounds I found the children unusually restless and hyped-up. The kiddies ward radio was blaring noisy music. Aware how strident music adversely affects behaviour I switched to FMR. I’m sorry I can’t tell you what you were playing, but whatever it was, in less than five minutes every child lay quietly, soothed and calm. I just wanted to thank you. Please continue.”
Said Mark Jennings, FMR station manager: “These are only two of many such stories relating to situations where FMR provided much needed solace. So, as FMR celebrates its 20th birthday this month, included in our festivities we are offering a R7 500 prize of a weekend away at Erinvale Hotel and Spa. This goes to the most heart-warming anecdote for the way FMR touched their soul. The winner will be announced on July 31.”
Jennings asks listeners to “please, please, please continue sending stories to birthday@ fmr.co.za.”
Shortly before 1994 heralded South Africa’s first democratic government, it became evident existing government arts funding would take different distribution roads. However, in 1993 establishing the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act 153 of 1993 paved the way for community radio stations.
That step inspired an ensemble of music lovers, headed by Jacques de Vos Malan to go through all necessary processes to apply for a radio licence aimed at broadcasting classical music. Such a station would keep classical music alive throughout Cape Town precincts in the event of reduced, (if any), funding having an adverse effect on the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra’s survival. Jazz aficionado Rashid Lombard came on board and in 1995 FMR received its first licence.
With broadcasting premises set up in Long-Kloof studios, and Lombard appointed as station manager--cum-jazz expert, seasoned broadcaster Leslie McKenzie took responsibility for classical music broadcasts and a knowledgeable band of presenters. And on July 1, 1995 the public heard FMR broadcast its first programmes on 101.3fm frequency.”
“That,” said Jennings, “is how FMR became the unique local community radio station we are – exclusively broadcasting high quality classical and jazz music.
“Over and above our original familiar 101.3fm frequency we now have three additional ones, giving listeners in Hout Bay on the Atlantic seaboard and Fish Hoek an opportunity to hear us.”
From the original volunteer force, Henry Holloway ( Sing, Swing & All That Jazz) and Greg Davids ( Continuum) are still among the 35 volunteer presenters presenting FMR’s 24 hours-a-day bi-lingual programmes. All musical pallets are catered for.
During weekday drive times its easy-on-the-ear short classical music pieces. As it is throughout the day. Except longer and full classical works are presented.
Classical music evening programmes, such as composer of the week or great interpreters, branch into more intellectually demanding listening. The jazz idiom is incorporated in presentations such as Blues at the Table, World Café and Sound Avenue.
However, whatever the category, Jennings is determined music must be melodic; not raucous; accessible to a wide audience and have a familiar sound, even if new, and presenters must not be too wordy. There are exceptions. Cape Diary/Kaapse Dagboek interviews artists and discusses what’s happening on the arts and theatre fronts. Book Choice /Boekkeuse also reviews new publications.
Lindsey Williams presents financial programmes. And programme manager Rodney Trudgeon draws on a wide field of interesting personalities to interview on Sunday evenings in People of Note.
But while FMR’s principal function is laid out above, Jennings, who is 100 percent supported by Trudgeon and his small full-time staff, considers FMR must reach out to poorer communities. To this end during FMR’s birthday month the station is sponsoring Cotlands.
Cotlands, an NGO, is an early childhood development centre in Macassar working with two to six year-old children. Through constructive curriculum-based play, these young ones are taught numeracy and writing skills, as well as learning about social interaction. FMR is asking kindly disposed people to donate educational toys, clothes, and/or blankets to fill a donated washing-machine for Cotlands.
Another FMR project involves Laurika Steenkamp, Cape Philharmonic Orchestra’s outreach manager. On Mandela Day (Saturday, July 18), in conjunction with FMR, Steenkamp has organised a concert at the Civic Centre Concourse. Starting at 11am, this event involves the CPO Youth Wind Ensemble and the SA Army Band (Cape Town). They are giving 67 minutes of their time to show 40 youngsters from Bontheuwel’s Jazz Yard Academy what they can become, and achieve, and the way FMR can help them reach their goals.
With other outreach projects being fine-tuned in the pipeline, next time you turn Fine Music Radio on, perhaps remember, not only does the station offer 24 hour non-stop (at times quirky) music, it is also a vibrant, public spirited one... still unfortunately dependent on subscriptions and advertising to bring “calm in the chaos” and keep playing the music thousands love to hear.
l 021 401 1013, mark@fmr.co.za