Sacred Classics
Passau Cathedral, Germany, among the renowned instruments featured on Sacred Classics | |
Other names | Choral Masterpieces, King of Instruments |
---|---|
Genre | Choral and organ music |
Running time | 2 hours |
Country of origin | United States |
Language(s) | English |
Home station | WBVM |
Hosted by | James G. "Jim" Howes |
Produced by | Atlas Communications |
Executive producer(s) | James G. Howes |
Original release | October 1983 – September 2021 |
No. of episodes | 1,831+ |
Audio format | Stereophonic sound |
Opening theme | He is risen (Unser Herrscher by Joachim Neander, arranged by Richard Webster) |
Ending theme | King of Kings by Miklós Rózsa |
Website | www |
Sacred Classics was a weekly two–hour radio show originating from WBVM-FM in Tampa, Florida, featuring choral and organ music from international venues. Founded in October 1983, it was broadcast on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as streamed over the Internet at various times to accommodate listeners worldwide.[1] The program was produced by Atlas Communications and hosted by Jim Howes, who used the thousands of pipe organ and choral recordings in his personal collection, gathered from his travels around the world.[2][3] Programs typically included music from such diverse locations as England, Germany, South Africa, Riga, Latvia, and Sydney, Australia, along with prominent church choirs and organists in the U.S. Live organ concerts were also sponsored and recorded for later broadcast, as in 2004 when celebrated organist Frederick Swann performed at the 88-rank organ of St. Paul's Anglican Church in Bermuda.[4][5] The final showed aired on September 26, 2021.[6]
Production
Howes, who was a former executive director of the
Tom Derzypolski, then-vice president of WBVM-FM in Tampa, told the
History
Sacred Classics was initially two distinct programs, King of Instruments and Choral Masterpieces, both produced by Howes for the old WXCR beginning in 1983 and 1985, respectively.[1][12] After production moved to WBVM in 1986, a new current format combining choral and organ music was adopted and the program was expanded to two hours in length and retitled Sacred Classics.[1] On the show's 25th anniversary broadcast in 2008, Frederick Swann, president of the American Guild of Organists, expressed the organization's "great debt of gratitude for the joy that Sacred Classics has brought untold thousands of listeners over the years".[13] Premier of Bermuda Ewart Brown sent his "sincere congratulations", saying he "hopes Sacred Classics enjoys another 25 great years".[13] The show celebrated its 35th anniversary on the air in October 2018.[1]
In addition to streaming Sacred Classics on the internet, the program's website also maintained a widely consulted ranking of the world's largest pipe organs, based on independently researched and verified specifications.[14]
Howes passed away unexpectedly at age 75 at his home in Safety Harbor, Florida.[6] His final pre-recorded show aired on WBVM on September 26, 2021.[6]
References
- ^ The American Organist. Vol. 52, no. 10. October 2018. pp. 32–33.
- ^ "Pipings". The American Organist. 42 (8). American Guild of Organists: 54. August 2008.
- ^ Walton, Mary (June 28, 2012). "With New Pipes, a Great Organ Gets Even Better". Ocean Grove (NJ) Blogfinger.net. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
- ^ Roberts, Stuart (September 25, 2004). "Renowned organist to perform in Bermuda". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
- ^ a b Mello, Terri (October 15, 2004). "World famous organist to play in Bermuda". Bermuda Sun. p. 39.
- ^ a b c Company, Tampa Publishing. "Safety Harbor man was an airport executive, radio host and really good friend". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ Westhead, Sara (November 29, 2002). "'Sacred Classics' tunes into God". Bermuda Sun.
- ^ St. Petersburg Times. p. 5.
- ^ "Sacred Classics" (PDF). Windline. Clearwater Chapter, AGO. February 2021. p. 3.
- ^ "Ascension Day Program". Sacred Classics. May 15–16, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- St. Petersburg Times. March 24, 1985. p. 24, TV Dial.
- ^ a b Sacred Classics, Atlas Communications, October 19, 2008.
- ^ "The Top 20 – The World's Largest Pipe Organs". Sacred Classics. Retrieved May 27, 2021.