Programming Update from Max Ramirez
Dennis Moore, new host of Anytime Classical
The magic of going to the movies seems to be fading from popular culture these days. I remember when meeting friends meant catching a movie on the big screen, made all the more exciting with a thrilling film score. For those of you who also miss those days or just love movies in general, Classical 90.9 is here to help. Introducing Reel Music, a new show airing Sundays at 5 p.m. starting May 4. Host Matt Rogers revisits some of the most influential movie scores in cinema history from Ben-Hur, Gone with the Wind, and of course anything by John Williams. This show is sure to pique your interest and maybe take you back to a time when the smell of popcorn wafting from the concession stand drew you into the theater. We are also excited to announce that Harmonia will now be airing at an earlier time of 8 p.m. on Sundays, starting May 4. For the full list of schedule changes, visit our website at will.illinois.edu/fm/schedule.
We also have some bittersweet news. As many of you now know, host John Clare has departed from Anytime Classical for a new position at Chicago’s classical music radio station, 98.7 WFMT. I sincerely appreciate John’s tenure and wonderful hosting since October 2024. However, we are excited for a new chapter of Anytime Classical with new host Dennis Moore. Dennis is a veteran classical music host from Chicago. Over the past three decades, Dennis has been heard by audiences throughout the United States as the voice of various programs, including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Civic Orchestra broadcasts, syndicated by the WFMT Radio Network. He joined WFMT in 1990 as a program host and producer and later served as WFMT’s Program Director for seven years. Most recently, he was WFMT’s weekday morning program host (2018–2024).
Over the years, Dennis has served as voice talent, producer, or director on a variety of broadcast projects, from the Grant Park, Ravinia, and Aspen festivals to performances by the New York Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Beyond the classical genre, he has produced and hosted broadcasts of jazz and world music concerts from Millennium Park in Chicago. He has also given pre-concert lectures for the Grant Park Music Festival and served as host/emcee for other classical music concerts.
An avid keyboardist, Dennis used to play a Hammond B3 in a Chicago jam band doing original R&B, funk, and groove music. More recently, he has given violin–piano duo recitals with his partner, violinist Sara Su Jones, in London, Lisbon, and Reykjavik, as well as throughout the Chicago area and in California, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts.
Be sure to tune into Anytime Classical weekdays from noon to 1 p.m. on Classical 90.9.
Thank you for your continued support of Classical 90.9. Many of these changes couldn’t happen without your generous feedback and financial support.
Max Ramirez
Manager, Classical 90.9 FM
