When KPAC first powered up in 1982 a commitment was made to provide classical music to the Greater San Antonio area 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. This reflected the vision of the station’s founders, including B.J. McClain and Wilford Stapp. Another tenet fundamental to KPAC provided for Listeners’ Choice, a program which invites the participation of listeners to KPAC. B.J. insisted on it, and Listeners’ Choice has been a constant block of KPAC’s programming from the first week to the present. For over 10 years, B.J. McClain invited listeners to call in or mail in their requests. “Zip it 78229,” she would say as she encouraged listeners to write.
Since 1996, Listeners’ Choice has been hosted by James Baker. James invites not only KPAC listeners, but also classical music fans in the Hill Country to suggest the programming for the evening. “Give me a call at 614-8977 and let me know what YOU would like to hear,” says James. The phone rings in flurries until the show reaches full house and then everyone sits back and enjoys the evening. “At least that’s what I hope,” muses James, as he plans out another evening of Listeners’ Choice.
A typical evening on Listeners’ Choice both showcases and tests the KPAC library. The familiar 1812 Overture blends with an early symphony by Saint-Saens and chamber music by Verdi or Smetana. Luciano Pavarotti sings Ave Maria alongside the latest blockbuster film score by John Williams. A young listener wants to hear the Moonlight Sonata for the very first time and a seasoned listener insists on Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, but only Jascha Heifetz will do. “It’s an eclectic program from time to time, and sometimes it’s a roller-coaster,” says program host James Baker. “But one thing’s for sure, it’s always entertaining.”
If you'd like to request a classical music selection to be played on one of these programs, call (210) 614-8977 or 1-800-622-8977, write to us at Listeners' Choice, Texas Public Radio, 8401 Datapoint Drive, Suite 800, San Antonio, Texas 78229 or use the convenient online form below.
Airs: Monday 9 p.m. to midnight on KPAC and KTXI
