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KMFA Names Lauren Rico Program Director

May 22, 2009 (Austin, TX) –¬ Classical 89.5, KMFA General Manager, Joan Kobayashi, announced today that Lauren Rico has been named Program Director.

KMFA successfully concludes Spring 2009 Membership Drive, raising $246,791!

April 3, 2009 (Austin, TX) – Classical 89.5, KMFA raised $246,791 during its Spring 2009 on-air fundraising campaign which ended early Friday, April 3 at 12:20 p.m. The final total exceeded the station’s $240,000 goal with donations from 460 new members and 1,772 renewing members, including individual and corporate challenge grants used during the course of the campaign.

KMFA Announces Young Violinist Competition Winner

March 17, 2009 (Austin, TX) – KMFA 89.5 FM congratulates Phillip Finkle, winner of the 2009 KMFA Young Violinist Competition & Award held at the KMFA studios on Saturday, March 7, 2009. In his sophomore year at McCallum High School, Phillip Finkle has been awarded the year-long use of the KMFA violin, handcrafted by William Townsend and donated by The Amati Foundation. The violin is a replica of a 1742 Guiseppe Guarneri del Gesu violin, and is valued at over $8,000.

KMFA Program Producer Kathryn Mishell Wins Gracie Award®

February 25, 2009 (Austin, TX) – American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) has announced the 2009 winners of the annual Gracie Awards®, and Classical 89.5, KMFA’s own Kathryn Mishell is among them! Ms. Mishell is a 2009 Gracie Award winner for her program Into the Light, produced from the studios of KMFA and broadcast every Sunday evening at 9pm.

KMFA Young Violinist Competition debuts at McCallum High School Fine Arts Academy
Prizes include master class with world-renowned violinist Anne Akiko Meyers

February, 2009---Austin, TX--- KMFA 89.5 FM, Austin’s classical music radio station, is pleased to debut its KMFA Young Violinist Competition and Award at McCallum High School, which features Austin’s only fine arts academy embedded in a public high school. As a flagship beneficiary, McCallum Fine Arts Academy Orchestra was identified as a critical starting point for introducing the new program to the Austin community, focused on young violinists playing in school orchestras.

Classical 89.5, KMFA's Joan Kobayashi Wins National Award

July, 2008, Classical 89.5, KMFA announced today that its Interim General Manager, Joan Kobayashi, has won the Development Professional of the Year award from the Public Radio Association of Development Officers (PRADO). Each year, the Development Professional of the Year award is bestowed to a station-based individual who has demonstrated excellence at his or her public radio station. Selected from among other leading development professionals at public radio stations across the United States, Ms. Kobayashi was presented her award during the July 2008 Public Radio Development and Marketing Conference in Orlando, Florida. This is the first time in KMFA's 41-year history that its development director has received this honor.

Classical 89.5, KMFA Names Interim General Manager

June, 2008, The Board of Trustees of Central Texas' only all-classical public radio station, KMFA 89.5, has named Joan Kobayashi as Interim General Manager. Kobayashi steps in for departing General Manager, Jack Allen, who has been named President & CEO of All Classical KBPS 89.9 in Portland, Oregon.

KMFA Announces Departure of General Manager - Jack Allen to lead KBPS 89.9 in Portland, Oregon as President & CEO

May 30, 2008 89.5, KMFA congratulates current General Manager & Program Director, Jack Allen, as he moves on to become President & CEO of All Classical KBPS 89.9 in Portland, Oregon.

KMFA to Broadcast Conspirare’s Long Center DEbut

May 23, 2008 Classical 89.5 is happy to announce the LIVE broadcast of Conspirare’s performance of Verdi’s Requiem from the Long Center for Performing Arts on June 21, 2008. Brian Newhouse, host of American Public Media’s SymphonyCast, will host the LIVE broadcast from the atrium of the Long Center beginning at 7:30pm. KMFA’s Dianne Donovan will co-host.

Austin's Own KMFA and WNYC in SXSW Collaboration

March 4, 2008 Classical 89.5 welcomes fellow public radio station WNYC to its studio space during Austin's busy South by Southwest festival in March. Soundcheck, a program which airs on WNYC, broadcasts a daily talk show about music covering all genres. Host John Schaefer will interview various SXSW bands out of KMFA's Studio 2000 March 12th and 13th.

Classical 89.5, KMFA Announces Expanded Live & Local Presentation

November 19, 2007 Classical 89.5 is proud to announce that December 3rd, 2007 will mark the beginning of KMFA's new Night Air programming, hosted by Laurie Turner. Night Air will be specially crafted programming of quiet, contemplative classics until midnight each weekday evening.

Classical 89.5, KMFA secures full funding for High Definition (HD) Conversion

October 1, 2007 Classical 89.5, KMFA-FM continues its 40th anniversary year long celebration by announcing directed gifts and grants totaling $182,000 designated to fund its conversion to High Definition (HD) by September of 2008.

CLASSICAL 89.5 KMFA KMFA HONORS PAVAROTTI

September 6, 2007 As is now widely known, legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti died early this morning. He was 71 years old.  The staff of KMFA quickly took steps to honor his musical legacy and share it with his many fans in Central Texas.

American Women in Radio and Television Honors Women in Local, Public and Student Markets

June 29, 2007 American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) honored KMFA’s own Kathryn Mishell for her work on Into the Light at the 2007 Gracie Awards Luncheon held at New York’s historic Tavern on the Green June 19, 2007.  For a complete listing of Gracie winners, visit http://www.awrt.org/awards/gracie_allen.html.   Acclaimed New York news anchor Roz Abrams hosted the event with special guests Liz, Monica and Sheila Dolan from ABC Radio Network’s Satellite Sisters.

CLASSICAL 89.5 KMFA VOLUNTEER CREATES NEW PROGRAM

May 7, 2007 Classical 89.5 KMFA will launch a new series of specials called Wind Sounds beginning Saturday, May 12th through May 26th.  This unique three-week special will explore an almost endless variety of music composed for and performed by wind ensembles, bands, and wind instruments. 

KMFA Celebrates Successful Spring Membership Drive

March 30, 2007 Station thanks listeners for raising more than $250,000 in support of classical music public radio - ending scheduled drive on time and on goal! AUSTIN, Texas -Classical 89.5, KMFA just concluded its spring membership drive raising its stated goal of $250,000 and increasing its membership base with the addition of over 525 new members! Over 2000 individuals and businesses contributed in support of the Spring Drive - the station's highest volume of gifts in one drive.

KMFA Program Producer Wins Gracie Award®

February 27, 2007 (Austin, TX) –­ American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) has announced the 2007 winners of the annual Gracie Awards® - and Classical 89.5, KMFA’s own Kathryn Mishell is among them!  Ms. Mishell is a 2007 Gracie Award winner for her Into the Light program, produced from the studios of KMFA and broadcast every Sunday evening at 9pm.  Into the Light recognizes the treasure trove of great works by women composers.

KMFA Announces Member Services Director Hire

February 1, 2007 (AUSTIN, Texas) - Classical 89.5, KMFA announces the hiring of Susannah Erler as Member Services Director. After a national search, KMFA Development Director, Joan Kobayashi stated," Susannah's background, experience and connections to Central Texas clearly made her a standout candidate for the job. We are pleased to announce her full-time status effective February 1st, 2007."

KMFA CELEBRATES 40TH BIRTHDAY WITH RECORD MEMBERSHIP DRIVE AND MAYORAL PROCLAMATION

January 31, 2007 (Austin, Texas) – In celebration of its 40th birthday, Classical 89.5, KMFA held a 3 day birthday membership drive to raise $40,000.  The drive ended 8 hours early on Wednesday, January 31st, over its stated goal by close to $2,000!

Classical 89.5 KMFA Celebrates 40 Years in Broadcasting

January 4, 2007 ( Austin, Texas) – Classical 89.5, KMFA-FM kicks off 40 years in broadcasting January 29th with a three day birthday membership drive and open house.  Listeners are invited to tune in between January 29th and 31st for a special recreation of some of the music that was broadcast on January 29th, 1967.  A variety of anniversary activities will go on throughout 2007 as well.  .

Classical 89.5 KMFA receives first grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

August 14, 2006 (AUSTIN, Texas) - Classical 89.5, KMFA-FM has been awarded its first-ever Community Service Grant (CSG) from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The estimated grant for 2007 is $116,000 and will represent the largest single grant ever received by the station.

Classical 89.5 Launches Accessible Website and Online Streaming

AUSTIN, Texas - www.kmfa.org has a new look - AND sound! On December 6th, 2005 at approximately 12:30 pm, KMFA 89.5 launched it's newly designed, disability accessible website - AND it's programming could be accessed as an online audio stream for the first time!

Classical 89.5 Holiday Season Broadcasts - KMFA - Your Holiday Home for the Classics!

November 17, 2005 (AUSTIN, Texas) -- Helping to keep Austin - Classically Austin - KMFA 89.5 is kicking off its holiday season programming schedule with Giving Thanks 2005: A Celebration of Fall, Food & Gratitude - hosted by John Birge. Airing November 23rd from 7pm - 9pm and again November 24th, 10am - 12pm. Giving Thanks is a perfect accompaniment to Central Texas gatherings of family and friends and is made possible, in part, by Jackson Walker, LLP.

Classical 89.5, KMFA and The Amati Foundation Announce Violin Performance Competition for Local High School Juniors.

August 16, 2005 -- Classical 89.5, KMFA, Voice of the Arts for Central Texas, and The Amati Foundation announce the inception of the KMFA Violin Competition and Loan Program for central Texas high school students.

KMFA Announces New General Manager

May 24, 2005 - Classical 89.5, KMFA announces the appointment of Jack Allen as new General Manager. After serving an interim role since February, the KMFA board officially named Jack Allen General Manager of Classical 89.5 on Monday, May 24th, 2005.

Classical 89.5, KMFA's Thank Goodness It's Familiar! Grand Prize Runner-up at Fine Arts Radio International Awards

May 12, 2005 -- Classical 89.5 is pleased to announce that the syndicated program TGIF! - Thank Goodness It's Familiar! was named official runner-up for the Grand Prize in the 2004 Fine Arts Radio International Awards. Each year the competition recognizes individuals and radio programs for their contributions to classical music education. Winners are selected by the Klassix Society board of directors. First place went to The Creole Romantics from WILL-FM of Urbana.