WMNR 2015 Annual Report

2015 ANNUAL REPORT WMNR Fine Arts Radio is an independent, local public radio station that has been providing classical and fine arts music programming 24 hours a day to much of Connecticut and nearby portions of New York for 34 years. WMNR’s classical music programs are noted for their musical substance and personal presentation. We attract listeners from throughout the region and meet or exceed important national benchmark listening criteria for classical music public radio stations. The 4 stations and 14 translators that comprise WMNR Fine Arts Radio are licensed to the Town of Monroe, CT and are funded entirely by listeners, foundations, businesses and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. WMNR is one of approximately 385 public radio licensees that meet Corporation for Public Broadcasting standards for professional operation and thus receives CPB’s yearly grants. WMNR has 58,000 listeners and over 4,600 contributing members. We raise our budget each year from private donations and grants and have done so since our inception. WMNR is one of 40 public radio stations in the country that airs 90% or more classical music and is the only station of its kind in southern New England. Since 2001 our live stream has reached listeners around the world. WMNR creates most of its own programming. We also carry a few nationally-­‐produced programs, including Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin and live concerts from Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. WMNR also broadcasts recorded concerts of the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. WMNR’s volunteer broadcasters are its lifeblood. Unlike most classical radio stations, WMNR’s knowledgeable broadcasters choose the music that they present. They bring the music to life and have enabled WMNR to operate a reliable and stable non-­‐profit radio station for 34 years. There are currently 30 broadcast volunteers who have been at WMNR for an average of 18 years of volunteer service each. They use CDs and LPs from their own collections and from the WMNR Library, which contains nearly 14,000 CDs. Broadcaster Diana Blase WMNR broadcasts 8,684 hours of music each year. From 6 am to midnight, WMNR produces 79% of its music. Classical music comprises 92% of WMNR’s schedule and Folk, Big Band, Broadway, and Jazz, the remaining 8%. WMNR Mission and Goals Music and the arts are important in the cultural life of any community. The mission of WMNR is to provide musical enrichment and enjoyment to our listeners by broadcasting high quality classical and fine arts music programs. The goals of WMNR are: • To present to listeners the richness and diversity that the world of classical music encompasses. • To strive for excellence in every aspect of our work: musical excellence, excellence of presentation and technical excellence. • To generate the funding needed to ensure WMNR’s mission on a year-­‐to-­‐year basis and well into the future. • To provide listeners with broadcasts of local classical music performances and current information on community arts and music activities. • To serve as an emergency communications outlet for Monroe and the region. Volunteer and Staff News In 2015 Ron Dudak, a broadcaster since 1976, and Joanne Moryl, a broadcaster since 1989, both passed away. Rosalind Friedman, Mario Mesi and Anne Cushman Schwaikert took leaves of absence. Dominique Johnson, Jeffrey Johnson and Rich Moran joined as regular broadcasters. WMNR’s Volunteers and Staff in 2015 Suzanne Adams, Accountant since 2015 David Aldrich, Broadcaster since 2000 Kurt Anderson, General Manager since 1982 Beatrice Asken, Broadcaster since 1982 Carol Babina, Co-­‐Founder and Development Director since 1982 John Babina, Co-­‐Founder and Technical Advisor since 1971 Bill Battista, Broadcaster since 1984 Diana Blase, Broadcaster since 1989 Humphrey Bryson, Board Operator since 2013 David Citronberg, Broadcaster since 1987 Robert Craig, Production/Board Operator since 1999 Will Duchon, Broadcaster since 2002 Jeane Eddy, Broadcaster since 2000 Rosalind Friedman, Theatre Critic since 1982 Doug Fox, Broadcaster since 1983 Gary Gerard, Broadcaster since 2003 Barry Gold, Broadcaster since 2005 Richard Hageman, Broadcaster since 1982 Dominique Johnson, Broadcaster since 2015 Jeffrey Johnson, Broadcaster since 2015 Susan Kennedy, Broadcaster since 1991 Dan Lenore, Broadcaster since 2009 Darrow Loucks, Broadcaster since 2011 Mario Mesi, Broadcaster since 1988 Rich Moran, Broadcaster since 2015 Dianne Orlando, Membership Coordinator since 2009 Ellen Parella, Broadcaster since 2012 Parker Prout, Broadcaster since 2006 Wendell Rector, Broadcaster since 1982 Rose Ryan, Membership Director since 2003 John Ryden, Broadcaster since 2009 Anne Cushman Schwaikert, Broadcaster since 1989 Mike Shakinovsky, Broadcaster since 1984 Peter Shimkin, Broadcaster since 2009 Gary Smith, Broadcaster since 2005 Garrett Stack, Broadcaster since 1988 Jane Stadler, Operations Director since 1985 H. William Stine, Broadcaster since 2010 Luecella Tondreau, Board Operator since 2000 Fred Velardi, Broadcaster since 2009 James Wright, Broadcaster since 1982 Neal and Diane Warner, Music Librarians since 2007 Thank you to our donors! WMNR’s supporters have given generously to fulfill our musical mission. More than 27,380 donors have given over 33 years. Contact information: WMNR Fine Arts Radio 731 Main Street Tel: 203-­‐268-­‐9667 P.O. Box 920 Fax: 203-­‐268-­‐6020 Monroe, CT 06468 Web: WMNR.org WMNR’s Operations In a 2015 benchmark study of 52 smaller market public radio stations, WMNR was the 4th most efficient station for programming cost to serve listeners. The median cost to serve a listener for one hour is 6.7 cents, whereas at WMNR it costs only 2.4 cents to serve one listener for one hour. WMNR’s audience has a median age of 62. Each listens an average of 7.3 hours per week. Financial information WMNR operates as a self-­‐funded Special Revenue Fund of the Town of Monroe, CT. A 5-­‐member WMNR Commission provides oversight and guidance. In 2015 WMNR had income of $686,968. • $483,607 from contributions • $95,650 from the CPB Grant • $59,535 from underwriting • $38,220 from donated services • $8,832 from donated facilities • $1,124 from interest In 2015 WMNR had expenses of $680,871. • $251,305 for salaries. • $80,511 for rent. • $79,370 for transmitter operations. • $47,752 for syndicated programs. • $30,854 for development/office. • $30,000 for administrative fees. • $25,094 for equipment and repair • $24,412 for depreciation. • $23,244 for electric/phone/internet. • $8,860 for legal services. • $8,832 for advertising. • $7,668 for accounting. Our audited financial statement is available at www.WMNR.org under About. Connecticut Monroe, CT 88.1 FM WMNR 5,000 watts Shelton, CT 90.1 FM WRXC 45 watts South Kent, CT 90.1 FM WGSK 77 watts Guilford, CT 91.5 FM WGRS 2,800 watts Warren, CT 91.5 FM W218AV 250 watts Fairfield, CT 91.9 FM W220AC 19 watts Huntington, CT 91.9 FM W220CF 7 watts West Hartford, CT 91.9 FM W220CH 8 watts Middlefield, CT 91.9 FM W220CE 10 watts Old Saybrook, CT 94.5 FM W233AJ 38 watts New London, CT 94.5 FM W233AG 55 watts New Haven, CT 98.3 FM W252AS 19 watts Southport, CT 105.3 FM W287AZ 50 watts New York State Mount Kisco, NY 89.7 FM W209CJ 38 watts Sag Harbor, NY 94.5 FM W233AI 27 watts Bridgehampton, NY 100.3 FM W262AS 27 watts Southampton, NY 100.7 FM W264AJ 250 watts East Hampton, NY 105.7 FM W289AX 10 watts Internet audio www.WMNR.org
WMNR Fine Arts Radio – Stations and Translators WMNR Brief History Thanks to station founders John and Carol Babina, WMNR began broadcasting in 1973 as a 300 watt station covering Monroe. In 1982 WMNR changed to an all classical and fine arts music format, with mostly volunteer broadcasters providing programs with LP and 78 records from 6 am to midnight. Two years later, WMNR grew to 9,000 watts and added important programs, including Adventures in Good Music with Karl Haas and live concerts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from Tanglewood. WMNR built a new 300-­‐foot tower for the 88.1 FM Monroe, CT signal in 1987, which increased our broadcast range by 50%. In 1988 we broadcast our first New Year’s Day from Vienna concert. A major station, WGRS in Guilford, CT at 91.5 FM, was added in 1993. We also became a station qualified by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and began to receive yearly grants in support of our classical and fine arts mission. In 1997 WMNR began operating 24 hours a day, using satellite-­‐
delivered music. On our 20th anniversary in 2003 we were able to move into new studios and offices. In 2007 Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin began airing. Our 34 years of great music and tremendous growth have been made possible thanks to our many donors!