WBJC's monthly newsletter to keep you informed about programming highlights, upcoming local events and general station news. 
Give yourself the perfect year-end gift –
a gift you will use every day of 2018
The gift of wonderful classical music that you can hear every day of the year at the touch of a radio button or mouse. Music that transcends place and time. Music that is getting harder and harder to find around the United States.  Now is a great time to make a year-end gift to WBJC.

WBJC has committed itself to bringing you the music you want to hear. But that commitment truly depends on you.  Make your year-end, tax-deductible gift today of $360, $240, $120, $50, or whatever you can afford by going to our secure website, WBJC.com

Or consider becoming a Sustaining Member and we will charge your credit card monthly. Sign up once and you can change or even cancel your monthly contributions anytime. You’re in full control. 

Remember, any donation received by December 31 will be deductible for 2017. Please give today.

by Reed Hessler   

As of Monday, December 18th, I am no longer a classical music host on WBJC. After thirty-nine years and thirteen days, I am retiring . My last live broadcast was the Friday night request show on December 15th, followed by my pre-recorded Sunday afternoon show on December 17th.

When I arrived at WBJC in December of 1978, the station had just increased its power to 50,000 watts. At the time, WBJC had a diverse format, including jazz, Broadway shows, old time radio, and NPR news. But the classical music format was expanding, due to its popularity during fundraisers. Moreover, the two Baltimore classical music stations, WBAL-FM and WCAO-FM, had changed their formats. Baltimore Mayor WIlliam Donald Schaefer held a public ceremony, in which the WCAO-FM tapes, music with recorded announcements, that had been replayed with no variation, were handed over to WBJC, the radio station owned by the Community College of Baltimore.

The message was clear. WBJC would be Baltimore's new classical music station. The WCAO tapes would remain on the top shelf of the WBJC record library for over a decade, and were never played. Frankly, they were crap, and WBJC quickly superseded them. And yet for another decade. many Baltimoreans who had enjoyed the endless repetition of WCAO's tapes. denigrated the variety of WBJC. I learned very quickly that Baltimore, circa 1979, was a good old boy town. It didn't matter how good you were, but how long you had been around.

Early in my career at WBJC, I played an opera and a choral work in the afternoon once a week. I played an hour of Japanese shakuhachi flute, and made an entire LP of Renaissance dance music into a station "hit". I felt empowered to play "Voice of the Whale" by George Crumb during drive time, because so many listeners seemed to like it...  Read more here 
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Join WBJC in celebrating the Winter Holidays! 

  • 12/18/17 - Advent Voices - 10 pm
  • 12/19/17 - Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir - 10 pm
  • 12/20/17 - A Chanticleer Christmas - 10 pm
  • 12/21/17 - Welcome Christmas! - 10 pm
  • 12/22/17 – Carols and Cheer – 9 pm
  • 12/22/17 - Leroy Anderson Christmas - 10 pm
  • 12/23/17 - Annual Beecham Messiah Celebration- 6 pm

Christmas Eve
  • 12/24/17 - A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols - 10 AM
  • 12/24/17 - WBJC Christmas Special - 4 pm
  • 12/24/17 - Hollywood Holiday - 7 pm
  • 12/24/17 - The Film Score: Music for the Winter Holidays - 8 pm

Christmas Day
  • 12/25/17 - A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (rebroadcast) - NOON
  • 12/25/17 - Baltimore Choral Arts Christmas - 2 pm
  • 12/25/17 - St. Olaf Christmas Festival - 9 pm

New Year's Day
  • 01/01 – New Year’s Day from Vienna – 11 AM

These fine programs are made possible by YOU, our supporting members! And as always, Christmas/Holiday music will be heard throughout the day beginning two weeks prior to Christmas. 


Hi there! If you haven't met or heard of me before, I'm John T.K. Scherch, the newest announcer at WBJC and your new evening host. In the past month or so, I've gotten to cover for Dyana Neal for the better part of a week and a couple of Reed Hessler's shows (and only the happiest of retirements to him!). Your outpouring of welcome as I've eased my way onto these airwaves has been delightful and informative in the best possible way...




12/23/17 - Le Nozze Di Figaro - 1pm
12/30/17 - The Merry Widow - 1pm
01/06/18 - Hansel and Gretel - 1pm
01/13/18 - Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci - 1pm

Your continued support for opera keeps the Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcasts and other live performances on the  WBJC Operafest  coming to you on Saturdays throughout the year.
Getting a new car? “Don’t trade it, donate it!” 

Before you head to the dealer, plan on donating your older vehicle to WBJC. Usually the value you'll receive for your donation will meet or exceed what the dealer will offer you as a trade-in and is fully tax-deductible.

Call 855-WBJC-CAR or donate securely online.  Click here to see how easy  it is!
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If your WBJC mug arrived damaged, please contact the membership department right away at membership@wbjc.com or 410-580-5800 for a replacement.

The vendor has a no-cost replacement policy (so the station doesn't pay for the second mug!!) but we have to submit the claim within 30-days of the member receiving the damaged item.
Sponsor Spotlight
For end of the year celebrations, Wine World, in Abingdon, has it all, including party planning ideas. Talk with a Wine World Party Consultant for advice, from pairings to what quantities you may need.

The 2018 Winter Wine Expo will be held on Sunday, February 18, at APGFCU Arena from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; plan for an afternoon of fine wine, fabulous food, silent auction and music.

Your chance to taste an amazing array of over 250 wines sourced from the world’s best wineries. Last year the event raised over $24,000 for programs and scholarships funded by the Harford Community College Alumni & Friends Association.

You can purchase tickets, with cash or check, at Wine World. For credit card purchases visit the HCC Ticket Office in the Chesapeake Center, HCC Cashier's Office in the Student Center, or for more information, contact Jordan Williams at jowilliams@harford.edu or 443-412-2449.

To purchase tickets online, click here.