I can imagine that most of you have gotten frustrated with the ads that appear when you listen to some music, especially while studying and when you listen to music on YouTube. Perhaps when you study, you lose some time choosing or skipping the music. Maybe you want some background music for a meeting or sleep. Either way, I want to present you with an option you must consider: WAUS 90.7! It sounds like an old-school suggestion, but this radio is also adapted to the new generations with their broadcast online at www.waus.org.
Andrews University’s Classical Music Station was initially a tiny radio station in Indiana, founded by Joh Fetzer. After a while, he was invited by the Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) to transfer the radio to Berrien Springs. In 1930, the radio was struggling to survive in the middle of the Great Depression, but after some decades, it was officially established as WAUS in 1971.
Now, WAUS’ signal reaches both Michigan and Indiana. It runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, featuring a collection of works from composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and many more. Between 6 am and 6 pm, approximately every 30 mins, you will hear a short selection of news (provided by NPR) to keep you informed about the most important events happening across the world. Other special programs include the broadcast of Pioneer Memorial Church’s second service on Saturdays at 11:30, Your Story Hour on Fridays at 7:30 pm and Saturdays at 7:30 am, some musically-religious related programs between Fridays and Sundays, and occasional special transmissions of past HPAC programs on Mondays at 6:05 pm. Finally, it has no promotions or advertisements other than greeting special donors — whose contributions represent ⅓ of the budget WAUS depends on—- and inviting listeners to some of the programs hosted at the Howard Performing Arts Center. And it is absolutely free to listen to!
WAUS, located in the Howard Performing Arts Center in a small but cozy office, has a staff team composed of permanent and student employees happy to share their love for classical music. One of the student employees remarked that “the staff is formed by people of very different backgrounds and personalities,”—which can make it hard to work together and talk—“but they get along and can keep the station running and enjoy the music while working.” And believe it or not, not all student employees are music majors or minors, proving that anyone can enjoy the complexities of classical music.
I like to listen to WAUS when working or studying in the morning. I also use it as a silence-breaking method when in a car with friends or other people. While there may be some things to improve or add, like being open to students’ and listeners’ personal recommendations for music, I find WAUS a nice radio station among many others. Another good thing is that you do not need a radio per se to listen to since they also have their website and app, where you can listen online. So give it a try next time you are looking for some easy listening during your study sesh!
If you already like the station and want to contribute, as well as to contact them for any inquiry, please call WAUS at 1-800-553-WAUS, visit their office located on the east side of the Howard Performing Arts Center, or visit their website, www.waus.org, to donate online and to learn more.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.