This piece was originally written by Drew Carr, Content Marketing for Statesman.com.

In the world of music, there’s beauty in duality. For KMFA 89.5, Austin’s "on key and offbeat" independent classical radio station, that beauty lies in serving as a conductor of sorts— between the on key splendor of classical music and the offbeat, idiosyncratic city of Austin. It’s been nearly 50 years since KMFA first touched the airwaves on January 29, 1967—opening their debut broadcast with the iconic “William Tell” Overture by Gioachino Rossini— and KMFA has not looked back. Rather, the station is looking forward, introducing a growing number of Austinites to the grandeur of classical music. Like Rossini’s Overture, KMFA began at a slow pace— gradually increasing in broadcast hours, membership and listenership over the following years before galloping forward into major moments and new frontiers, including annual grants from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, live broadcasting of local events, and internet streaming.

Today, one of KMFA’s most important priorities is fostering the next generation of classical listeners and musicians. KMFA is achieving this through collaborations with artists like Mother Falcon, a popular Austin-based chamber-rock symphonic band known for its classical inspirations. (You can check out their performance from NPR's Tiny Desk concert series below). The group recently announced its plans to focus on its Mother Falcon Music Lab—a camp which teaches kids ages 11-18 in various creative disciplines, including classical music. This is representative of the community-first attitude that KMFA embraces.

"As primarily Austin natives, we're honored to have the support of our amazing local classical station KMFA,” says Nick Gregg, of Mother Falcon. “KMFA's programming has been essential to our development as individuals and as a band, exposing us to an incredible diversity of content from the richness of the classical tradition to compelling modern-day works and local performances.”

KMFA has also collaborated in recent years with local student music groups including the Armstrong Community Music School, the McCallum High School Orchestra and Austin Soundwaves— a program of the Hispanic Alliance that teaches El Sistema-inspired music programs to under-served students, with whom KMFA has a longstanding relationship.

While classical music’s roots reach back for centuries, the music itself and the keeping of its traditions are very much alive today. For KMFA— whose call letters are inspired by the phrase “Klassical Music For Austin”— bringing the joy of classical music to the community is of utmost importance. In the same way classical music inspires and restores the mind, it’s KMFA’s mission to remain inspirational to listeners and and restorative to the city—staying in tune with the people of Austin and offering them an endless supply of beautiful music.

KMFA will be celebrating its 50th anniversary all year long, starting off with a free public birthday party on January 29^th. All are encouraged to attend and enjoy a live radio broadcast of prominent classical music acts including an interactive performance by Mother Falcon! 

“Classical music is at the root of how we think about creativity and sound composition, the foundation from which we gained an appreciation and appetite for many different styles of music,” says Clara Brill, of Mother Falcon. “Come create music with us on Sunday, January the 29th, in celebration of KMFA's 50th anniversary and become a part of the evolving classical tradition!"

The event will also include food trucks from local eateries, free cupcakes from Central Market and beer on tap from 4th Tap Brewery, yard games, an impromptu kazoo symphony, and a sonic recording booth for community members to record their birthday wishes to KMFA. It’s on key, offbeat fun you’re sure to enjoy. For more details, please see below.

What: KMFA’s 50th Birthday Block Party

When: January 29, 2016 | 12:00 - 4:00pm (Live broadcast to begin at 1pm)

Where: Fair Market (1100 E. 5th Street)