Then in October, without any warning and without consulting the supporting audience, the new directors of the station announced that Classical 89 would no longer be on the air. They say it is to be combined with the other BYU radio station, which would gobble up its facilities, its audience, its fabulous equipment, its radio translators, and its personnel.

This appears to me to be almost illegal. Such decisions, which deeply affect a large number of financially contributing people, should not be made arbitrarily. No group of directors should be able to make such decisions without advising the “shareholders” first.

Then, if it is approved as a reasonable decision, it would be announced as final.

I attended the board meeting yesterday in the Brigham Young University Communications Center. We learned from one of the Five Browns, a great musical pianistic treasure from our own community, that if Classical 89 dies, Utah will be one of only three states in the nation without a classical music station.

How can this happen in Utah? We need beauty and spiritual solace. The proposed “talk show” format that would happen by combining the two stations cannot possibly provide this.

I wish you could have heard a third grade teacher read a letter which was written by a third-grader, who enjoys listening to Classical 89 at school. Her class listens to Classical 89 while doing art work. The young person tells how she loves and needs the music she hears on Classical 89 to help her in her life.

Our world is becoming darker, more chaotic, and more violent with each passing week. What can be done to build the mental and spiritual health of a people? Classical music is one of the answers, and it is already in place here in our state. It also now reaches a significant audience in other parts of the world, where it is highly respected.

We need to keep Classical 89 on the airwaves. Their huge library of classical music recordings is a legacy of immense value, which has been built up over many years. It must not be left idle. The intelligent selection of pieces with interesting commentary by the specially qualified broadcasters which it provides must not be abandoned.

There are many programs that are working currently to serve the many diverse segments of our population.

But it seems like there is one well-educated, highly-contributing segment whose needs are not being considered. These are the classical music lovers and participants. Why not consider their needs? Why not listen to their voices?

Why not let the two radio stations continue as they are and just consolidate the television stations?

Michael Dunn and his fellow directors of KBYU FM should look into their own hearts and see if they shouldn’t change this arbitrary mandate. It is not too late to listen to the pleas of the listeners. It was announced in October. It’s only November. There is still time to work out a better solution.

–Noël Neville Cardon, Orem