Seattle classical radio station to address equity and inclusion on air and behind the scenes

“Classical KING FM 98.1, the Seattle-based, listener-supported classical music radio station, is moving to address issues of equity and inclusion, and taking steps to make classical music more accessible,” writes Melinda Bargreen in Wednesday’s (2/3) Seattle Times. “KING FM leaders acknowledge the need to broaden its programming, make its board and staff more diverse and create a pipeline of younger talent … KING FM has already taken steps such as including pieces by women and/or performers and composers of color at least once per announcer shift (or five to six times per day)…. The station has also hired … Quinton Morris as artist scholar in residence to create 10 to 12 programs featuring composers of color. The programs will air multiple times on KING FM and will also be offered free of charge to other classical stations … Morris, an associate professor of music at Seattle University, is also a violinist [and] chamber musician … Morris is working on a new show for radio and podcast, ‘Unmute the Voices,’ featuring music by Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) composers and performances…. One of the station’s goals is to have the demographics of its staff mirror the demographics of its audience.”