KUAF Music Director Encourages Participation in Spring Pledge Drive

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KUAF Music Director Katy Henriksen (photo by Sophie Odelia Bauer)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – KUAF 91.3 FM, the local NPR affiliate, will begin its Spring fundraiser Friday, April 4, which will continue until Saturday, April 12. The station seeks support from currently contributing listeners as well as new members to meet its $150,000 goal.

KUAF receives roughly $800,000 from individuals and businesses throughout the year, making up the majority of its annual budget of more than $1 million. Membership and underwriting dollars go toward the cost of national programming as well as locally produced programs such as Of Note with Katy Henriksen and KUAF Sunday Symphony, which have both been part of KUAF’s programming for more than two years.

The two shows, hosted and produced by KUAF music director Katy Henriksen, highlight classical music being made around the world as well as in Northwest Arkansas. Henriksen features interview spotlights and in-studio performances with internationally-known musicians, music scholars and local classical music leaders such as the conductors of the region's three symphonies — Fort Smith Symphony, the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra and the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.

“Many folks ask me whether I am the one selecting the music that airs on the shows and indeed I am, 100 percent,” Henriksen said. “I enjoy representing all eras of classical music beginning with early music spanning to those making classical music today. That means I do a ton of listening to put together shows that represent all eras and all types of composers.”

Of Note with Katy Henriksen is a daily classical music program, which airs from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. KUAF Sunday Symphony is a weekly show, which airs entire symphonies 7-9 p.m. on Sundays. Performance and interview archives may be found on the KUAF website.

“I keep up with the latest in classical recordings and am responsible for the classical music library, so I'm always writing classical labels to get the latest classical releases,” Henriksen said. “The art form is alive and well!”

The station’s fundraiser helps to keep these local programs on the air. Volunteers will be on hand throughout the Spring fundraiser to answer phones and take payments and pledges. Pledges may be made by calling 479-575-5823 or online to help the station reach its goal.

KUAF is a listener-supported service of the Walter J. Lemke department of journalism in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. The station has more than 3,300 annual donors and receives nearly 70 percent of its annual funding from membership and underwriting. It reaches a weekly audience of 60,000 listeners throughout Northwest Arkansas, southern Missouri, eastern Oklahoma and the River Valley.