College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media
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KVNO Classical 90.7 marks 33 years with fund-drive success In an era of shrinking state budgets and withering federal subsidies, nationally recognized public radio station KVNO Classical 90.7 capped 33 years of growth with unprecedented success.		• Calendar of Events

The station, part of UNO's College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media, exceeded its Fall 2005 On-Air Pledge Drive goal in less than 10 days, raising $75,000 in mid-October. While some public radio stations in the country struggled to reach their autumn fund-raising goals, Classical 90.7 staff busily penned thank-you letters in the midst of a 34-percent increase in the average pledge.

Even in larger metropolitan areas, finding an all-classical station on the dial has become increasingly rare. In Omaha, KVNO's unique blend of loyal supporters, university-focused goals, and committed staff has helped it to thrive.

"KVNO enjoys such a positive image throughout the community," says Debbi Aliano, KVNO general manager (pictured with Mike Hagstrom, program director). "It's an uplifting, intelligent alternative. Few stations can make that claim."

To that end, KVNO closely studies what listeners—locally and nationally—value in classical music programming. Research such as the 2002 study conducted by the Public Radio Program Directors (PRPD) and Walrus Research (Core Values of Classical Music Radio; Core Values: Classical Music Format) provides key insights for the station.

"Core Values research has been instrumental in helping us identify the benefits that classical music radio listeners receive from the programming," says Mike Hagstrom, KVNO program director. "Why do they tune in and how do they use it? We previously had a hunch about these questions, but the core values research findings helped to solidify our understanding, and consequently influence our programming philosophy."

Core Values studies have shown that the primary benefit provided by classical music radio is stress relief. Listeners also said that classical music:

• Is an intelligent alternative to the pop music heard on smooth jazz or soft rock stations;

• Produces clarity of mind and the ability to focus; and,

• Provides an escape from contemporary culture, preserving the beauty and majesty of a better time.

Such national research findings were aligned with KVNO's own listener studies. Both sets of research also found that classical listeners are curious about the music and the performers. With this in mind, Classical 90.7 listeners are treated to anecdotes and snippets of information about classical works, their composers and recording artists, interspersed with the music in a commercial-free format. KVNO announcers are not just "voices" reading from scripts; they are members of the local and university communities who are knowledgeable and passionate about classical music. This is important to listeners, who report that they care deeply about classical music. They do not like "chatter," and feel that in today's world the peace and comfort of classical music is needed more than ever.

As a public radio station, more than half of KVNO's operating budget comes from community support. Providing the best service possible to the community ensures listener support. That also enables the station to meet one of UNO's overarching strategic goals—to actively engage urban, regional, national and global communities. In addition to its relationships with local listeners, many of whom volunteer their time and support to KVNO, the station offers its service via streaming programming on its newly redesigned web site, www.kvno.org. During the Fall Pledge Drive, listeners from California, Ohio and Florida made contributions online, commenting that no stations like KVNO existed where they lived.

"Everyone takes pride in providing a public service that isn't available anywhere else in our service area," Aliano says. "And thanks to the World Wide Web, our service is increasingly recognized and appreciated beyond our traditional service area, which is pretty exciting."

In addition to community engagement, KVNO serves the student body and promotes academic excellence. Nine of its full-time staff members are UNO graduates, and a number of students are employed and/or study part-time in capacities such as announcer, clerical assistant or broadcasting intern.

In KVNO offices, studios and corridors, there is an unspoken feeling, an understanding that hangs in the air like static on the radio. This is not "just a job"; it's a mission.

One KVNO is looking forward to continuing with another 33 years of fine-tuning.

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Calendar of Events

Art & Art History Shows and events held in the UNO Art Gallery, 1st Floor, Weber Fine Arts Building.   Jan 15-Feb 24 Saving Faces: Art and Medicine   Mar 3 Opening Reception for Spring 2006 UNO Art Student Exhibition, 6:30-8:30 pm       Mar 5-31 Spring 2006 UNO Art Student Exhibition   Apr 7 Opening Reception for Spring 2006 BFA Thesis Exhibition, 6:30-8:30 pm   Apr 9-May 5  Spring 2006 BFA Thesis Exhibition, UNO Art Gallery   Music Performances start at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, unless otherwise noted. Call 554-3427 for event information or to reserve tickets.   Feb 12                        NE Wind Symphony Concert, 3 p.m.   Feb 25 Ecoutez: Slide Hampton, Trombone   Feb 28 Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra & Concert Choir Smorgasbord Concert   Mar 7 University Band & University Chorus Concert   Mar 9 Jazz Bands Concert, Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom   Mar 21 Ecoutez: Dora Seres, flute   Mar 31 Jazz Band Big Band Dance, Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom, Lessons, 7 pm, Dance, 8 pm   Apr 2 Symphonic Wind Ensemble Concert   Apr 7 Chamber Choir Concert   Apr 12 Brass Ensembles Concert, 6 pm   Apr 19 Percussion Ensembles Concert

Music Apr 22 Concert Choir Concert   Apr 23 Symphonic Wind Ensemble & University Band Concert   Apr 25 Chamber Orchestra Concert   Apr 26 Jazz Band Concert, Milo Bail Student Center   Apr 30 Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra In the Park Concert   May 6 Symphonic Wind Ens Concert, 3 p.m.   Theatre Performance start at 7:30 p.m. in the the UNO Theatre, Weber Fine Arts Building, unless otherwise noted. For ticket information, call the UNO Theatre Box Office, 554-2335.   Jan 10 Acting Auditions and Callbacks-Arabian Nights, 6-10 pm, WFAB Theater   Jan 11 Technical Theatre Interviews, 2-4 pm, WFAB 31   Feb 2-5 FAUST presents Rebound & Gagged, WFAB 006, time TBA   Feb 23-25, Mar 1-4 Tartuffe   April 13-15, 19-22 Arabian Nights   Writer's Workshop Missouri Valley Reading Series Dates & times for the MVRS are TBA, Contact 554-2406 for info.   Writer's Workshop Professor Art Homer reads from his new volume of poetry. His former student and current WRWS adjunct Neil Azevedo also will read from his new collection of poetry.   Novelist and Omaha resident Timothy Schaffert will read from his new novel, "The Singing And Dancing Daughters Of God."   Essayist Lisa Knopp, new faculty member in the English Department, will read from her most recent collection, "The Nature Of Home."

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