PRPD 2008 ACE Awards Classical Music 
Winner: 
KSJN, St. Paul - Gayle Ober, Director of Classical Programming - Listen
Honorable Mention: 
WSHU, Fairfield - Tom Kuser, Program Director - Listen
Judges' comments: KSJN
What was your overall impression of the entry?
Excellent. KSJN and Minnesota Classical Public Radio expertly combine musical authority and integrity with respect for the Core Values and the importance of appealing to a broad range of listeners.
A “potpourri” of various breaks by MPR with various hosts. Lively, engaged hosts telling interesting stories about the music and artists. Some humor and joking – quite conversational at times. Woman’s story about the student flutist who died was very moving. It didn’t need to long, and it wasn’t – very direct and short. I loved the comparison of Till Eulenspiegel to some well-known contemporary comedians (Don Rickles – excellent analogy!).
All of the elements presented here work very well together; you can hear the care and attention that is paid to the content and all of the announcers; there is a great sense of station and sound. The station clearly pays attention to every part of the broadcast day.
What are its greatest strengths?
For me, it’s the intelligence of the comments the announcers make: they are smart enough to use radio talk, not literary talk or musician speak, and deliver it in a conversational way. But it’s clearly very carefully planned and thought out, and generally provides truly interesting insights in a memorable way.
Its sense of connectedness to the music AND to the listener. The hosts are talking directly to the audience and speak with a sense of knowing their audience well.
The first story recreates the sound of an NPR news story, with barn sounds giving the listener a sense of where this takes place.; the image spot was quite appealing; the memorial to the flutist effectively executed and took into consideration the core values of heart and mind.
What can others learn from this entry?
The importance of intelligent, authoritative hosts who are concerned first and foremost, not with impressing their listeners, but with communicating with them in a clear and congenial manner.
The breaks are obviously the result of excellent and consistent show-prep. The “stories” about the upcoming (or just finished) classical music pieces are well-constructed and tight. Very conversational in delivery, with strong and concise content.
How to achieve a consistent and honest sound, valuing the characteristics of the classical listeners, taking into account core values and making it easy for the listener to know exactly what to expect every time they tune in.
Judges' comments: WSHU
What was your overall impression of the entry?
This is a very solid entry with smooth, smart announcers at the top of their game working earnestly to provide listeners with both companionship and insight into the music.
Hosts put good work into writing/thinking about their intros/back announcements for the music.
Very friendly and conversational announcer; nicely adding a relevant tidbit of information about the music. I thought this entry was excellent and I would definitely listen to this station.
What are its greatest strengths?
The warmth and presence of the principle announcers, combined with their meticulous preparation and presentation. I especially appreciated the forward promote of the “Cricket” Concerto with the personal anecdote of the announcer enjoying the sound of crickets in the summer. Lauren Rico’s declaration that “there’s magic in the air” might have sounded forced in less skillful hands, but instead was endearing. Her front announce of the Pavarotti selection was also memorable.
Good setups for the music we’re about to hear.
I liked the morning announcer’s voice; she could be my next door neighbor – knowledgeable and approachable. Afternoon host had a nice level of energy. The music connected to something – some bit of information, therefore drawing me in.
What can others learn from this entry?
This entry demonstrates the value of well-scheduled music and air talent earnestly applying the Core Values of classical radio.
The narrative should have described a little more in depth in terms of the goals and intent of the music programming, including some of the core values, even though they executed it with aplomb.