| For all stations: American Public Media is thrilled to showcase the most memorable performances of the 2023 BBC Proms, the U.K.’s annual celebration of classical music. Share up to eight weeks of memorable performances from London’s Royal Albert Hall. SymphonyCast will broadcast eight concerts in their entirety, including the last night of Proms. All concerts will follow the standard SymphonyCast clock (1:59). Hosted by Steve Seel, these eight programs are available to all APM affiliate stations, free of charge via ContentDepot, regardless of SymphonyCast carriage. These are regular weekly feeds, and open for all Proms concerts. View our detailed list of weekly broadcasts beginning Monday, July 31 through Sunday, September 24. If you would like to carry this programming, please contact your Station Representative. For BBC affiliates: The BBC World Service will broadcast four specially selected highlight programs of Proms concerts, featuring one each week from Saturday, August 5 through Friday, September 1, with repeats each Sunday. You can view the BBC Proms schedule here. Highlights of the 2023 season features a Proms debut by South Korean violinist, Bomsori, playing Bruch’s First Violin Concerto, a tribute to Bollywood legend Lata Mangeshkar from the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, an exploration of German Romanticsim from celebrated pianist, Sir Andras Schiff, and a meditation on night and stillness in a stress-busting concert from Grammy-nominated vocal group VOCES8, pianist-composer Ola Gjello, and the Carducci String Quartet. NOTE: These programs will be broadcast on the BBC World Service – so news stations will hear this classical music programming during the regular World Service schedule and there will be NO POSTS at the bottom of the hour. These highlight programs make great complements to the full concerts from SymphonyCast and are available for broadcast to all current BBC World Service affiliate stations through APM. Details and downloads for all seven programs are coming soon to the BBC Media Partner Centre: Broadcast time: Saturdays, 2-3 p.m. ET; repeats Sundays, 7-8 a.m. ET Length: 53 minutes Clock: Proms programs will not follow the BBC World Service clock; there are no breaks at the bottom of the hour. Questions about BBC Proms programming? Please contact your Station Representative. |
Category Archives: Classical
2021 BBC Proms Programming
For all stations:
American Public Media is thrilled to showcase the most memorable performances of the 2021 BBC Proms, the U.K.’s annual celebration of classical music. Share up to eight weeks of memorable performances from London’s Royal Albert Hall.
SymphonyCast will broadcast each concert in its entirety, including the last night of Proms. All concerts will follow the standard SymphonyCast clock (1:59).
Hosted by Julie Amacher, these eight programs are available to all APM affiliate stations, free of charge via ContentDepot, regardless of SymphonyCast carriage. These are regular weekly feeds, and open for all Proms concerts.
View our detailed list of weekly broadcasts through Tuesday, September 27.
If you would like to carry this programming, please contact your Station Representative.
For BBC affiliates:
The BBC World Service will broadcast six specially selected highlight programs of Proms concerts, featuring one each week from Saturday, August 7 through Saturday, September 11, with repeats each Sunday.
The 2021 season features leading British orchestras as well as international soloists and conductors. Highlights include a performance from the UK’s first professional orchestra with a majority of ethnically-diverse players, a musical journey through the sights and sounds of two continents and two centuries featuring Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, and winner of the 2016 BBC Young Musician competition Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s performance of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor.
NOTE: These programs will be broadcast on the BBC World Service – so news stations will hear this classical music programming during the regular schedule.
These highlight programs make great complements to the full concerts from SymphonyCast and are available for broadcast to all current BBC World Service affiliate stations through APM.
Details and downloads for all six programs are coming soon to the BBC Media Partner Centre:
- Broadcast time: Saturdays, 2-3 p.m. ET; repeats Sundays, 7-8 a.m. ET
- Length: 49 minutes 30 seconds or 59 minutes including News Update, billboard & promo
- Clock: Proms programs will not follow the BBC World Service clock; there are no breaks at the bottom of the hour.
- Promos: Promo spots will be made available via the BBC Media Partner Centre.
Questions about BBC Proms programming? Please contact your Station Representative.
From YourClassical: Minnesota Varsity Showcase
An annual showcase for high school musicians is an opportunity to build awareness of your station, engage with your audience to help create content and support local school-age talent. This guide was developed by YourClassical MPR, and is available to APM affiliates through their affiliation fee.
The showcase provides a way to engage with new and existing audiences, with many features that can be utilized to customize the experience to suit your needs . This resource guide aims to provide a framework for building your own youth-focused performance event. Each expression will be unique, and we hope this guide is helpful and expands your understanding of what might be possible.
Performance Today Overview as shared by Fred Child
We spoke with Fred Child, host of Performance Today, to learn more about the popular classical music program including its origin, mission, and the processes applied in selecting music and artists to highlight. Fred has hosted Performance Today since 2000 and is a lifelong lover of music.
What is the origin of the show? Performance Today was founded in 1987 by NPR, National Public Radio. It was initially conceived as a bridge between the morning news program, Morning Edition, and midday music (then in vogue on many stations that carried both news and music.
How has its mission/focus evolved? Performance Today is a music program with a clear focus on classical music and those two words: Performance Today. In the beginning, and still, the focus is on music in PERFORMANCE – i.e., the presence and vitality found in concert recordings. And TODAY: the current state of the music scene – contemporary music, diverse talent and the most inventive and enthralling of today’s interpreters of the great works of the past.
What is your philosophy as host? To convey a true love of music, to share that joy in an accessible way with listeners and to be an exclusive home for recordings and concert highlights not heard anywhere else – all while providing a certain degree of musical insight and occasional education tidbit for those interested, while not hectoring those who aren’t.
Share the talk:music Ratios: 9.5 minutes of talk and 49.5 minutes of music each hour. (1/0 billboard; .5/4.5 cutaway; 3/18 seg003; 0/1 seg004; 2/18 seg005; 0/1 seg006; 3/9 seg007) Episodes that include a performance interview typically have more talk, but the talk segment in those cases does not exceed 3.5 minutes.
How much “new/contemporary” classical is played per program/per year? Generally, a new piece of classical music broadcasts on Performance Today once per program, a couple of times each week – or roughly 100-150 contemporary pieces annually of the approximately 1600 featured pieces of music on our show each year (about 5-10% of our music).
How are the new pieces introduced on PT selected? Our producers listen to live concert recordings after the year 2000 that we receive from around the world. From those we chose compositions that are musically interesting, have fascinating stories behind them and fit in our programming principle to ‘delight and surprise.’
How are the traditional pieces played on PT chosen? Producers choose familiar classical pieces to broadcast on the show when the performance is exceptionally outstanding or inclusive or rare performance nuances.
How are the artists/composers highlighted selected? We feature performers and composers whose artistry we find captivating.
Tell us more about the available ::30 Imaging Spots: These ::30 second daily promo spots are available to stations to help to encourage listeners who aren’t familiar with PT to familiarize themselves with the show. In addition, the spots also work to promote specific pieces of music or stories coming up on the next program so as to underscore the program’s capacity for discovery, access and the storytelling within the genre of contemporary classical music.
Specials for summer holidays, milestones and appetites
The latest specials from APM Celebrates honor our nation’s independence, first Moon landing and favorite foods, and the 200th birthday of a classical music prodigy.
Promote your broadcasts with digital ads for your website, social media and newsletters. Available now in the ‘Marketing Tools’ section of APM Celebrates program pages.
Arts & Culture
Witness History: The Race to the Moon
One hour. Available July 1-31, 2019.
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing with this moving and memorable new special from the BBC World Service, featuring highlights from its Witness History programs and presenters.
“The Race to the Moon” presents stories and recollections of key moments from diverse voices – all of whom recollect the Moon landing with fondness and pride.
Let’s Be Frank: TBTL Salutes The Great American Hot Dog(Encore)
One hour. Available July 1–September 30, 2019.
Join hosts Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh over a sizzling grill as they celebrate one of America’s most beloved and most ridiculed foods: The Hot Dog.
Perfect for Independence Day, Labor Day and the entire summer grilling season, this lighthearted encore special takes audiences from the grill to the ballpark, and shines a funny, mouthwatering spotlight on an American favorite (and veggie alternatives), with special guest Francis Lam, host of The Splendid Table.
Classical Music
To Honor and Inspire: U.S. Military Bands Special
One hour. Available July 1-12, 2019.
Andrea Blain hosts this uplifting, patriotic new special featuring performances by the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine bands, including marches by Sousa, Jewell and Gould, and classical works by Copland, Saint-Saens and Holst.
Let Freedom Sing (New for 2019)
One hour. Available July 1-12, 2019.
Join Julie Amacher for this new Independence Day celebration with traditional, patriotic choral music performed by the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra.
Clara Schumann: ‘A fallen, abominable, wicked girl’
One hour. Available September 1-30, 2019.
September 13, 2019 is the 200th birthday of world-renowned performer and composer Clara Schumann.
Classical concert pianist and storyteller Jade Simmons hosts this celebration of Schumann’s extraordinary life and inspiring musical achievements, and the challenges of being a female prodigy in the 19th century.
New spring fundraising tools
As you look forward to warm spring days and member drives, we’re here to help with new fundraising assets to raise your audience engagement and revenue.
Segments are available now on ContentDepot. Subscribe to individual fundraising program pages now to receive all future updates.
New for spring 2019:
All programs
- Updated talking points for your live pitches are available now on ContentDepot (following each rundown on fundraising pages) and on our website (under ‘Fundraising’ on program pages).
- New fundraising promo options (excluding BBC World Service and The Daily) include general, sustainer, sustainer upgrade, and thank you messages from our hosts; new spots are between 0:25 and 0:59.
Live from Here
- Fundraising episode with 13 interchangeable segments featuring Chris Thile and a variety of artists: David Crosby, Jon Batiste, Lindsey Buckingham, John Prine, Meshell Ndegeocello, Emmanuel Ax, St. Vincent, Jonathan Biss, Dessa, Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles, Vulfpeck, Tuneyards, Jeff Tweedy, Sylvan Esso, Snarky Puppy, David Rawlings, Willie Watson & the Fairfield Four, Parker Millsap, The Knights, Rachael Price, Gaby Moreno, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, Sara Watkins, Punch Brothers, Tracy K Smith, The Sklar Brothers, Jim Gaffigan, Chris Gethard, Joey Ryan, and Tom Papa.
Performance Today
- Long-form, in-studio segments with a variety of classical artists.
Visit the ‘Episodes’ section of the pages below to find new fundraisers, with suggested pitch points following each rundown:
News
BBC World Service (generic promos and pitch points)
The Daily (generic promos, pitch points and listener testimonials)
Marketplace
- Marketplace (11 promos with Kai Ryssdal, pitch points)
- Marketplace Morning Report (10 promos with David Brancaccio, pitch points)
- Marketplace Tech (8 promos with Molly Wood, pitch points)
Arts and Culture
Live from Here (fundraising episode, pitch points)
The Splendid Table (6 promos with Francis Lam, pitch points)
Classical Music
Classical 24 (11 promos with C24 hosts, pitch points)
Performance Today (7 promos with Fred Child, 5 in-studio segments with guest artists, pitch points)
Pipedreams (6 promos with Michael Barone, pitch points)
SymphonyCast (6 promos with Alison Young, pitch points)
Custom Promo Requests
We encourage you to use our new fundraising promos, but we’re here to help if you need a custom spot. Please complete our custom promo form.
Due to ongoing production schedules, please allow 3-4 weeks for custom promo delivery, and up to 6 weeks for BBC World Service spots. Note: BBC World Service is prohibited by British law to make direct asks to listeners for monetary support.
New spring fundraising tools
As you look forward to warm spring days and member drives, we’re here to help with new fundraising assets to raise your audience engagement and revenue.
Segments are available now on ContentDepot. Subscribe to individual fundraising program pages now to receive all future updates.
New for spring 2019:
All programs
- Updated talking points for your live pitches are available now on ContentDepot (following each rundown on fundraising pages) and on our website (under ‘Fundraising’ on program pages).
- New fundraising promo options (excluding BBC World Service and The Daily) include general, sustainer, sustainer upgrade, and thank you messages from our hosts; new spots are between 0:25 and 0:59.
Live from Here
- Fundraising episode with 13 interchangeable segments featuring Chris Thile and a variety of artists: David Crosby, Jon Batiste, Lindsey Buckingham, John Prine, Meshell Ndegeocello, Emmanuel Ax, St. Vincent, Jonathan Biss, Dessa, Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles, Vulfpeck, Tuneyards, Jeff Tweedy, Sylvan Esso, Snarky Puppy, David Rawlings, Willie Watson & the Fairfield Four, Parker Millsap, The Knights, Rachael Price, Gaby Moreno, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, Sara Watkins, Punch Brothers, Tracy K Smith, The Sklar Brothers, Jim Gaffigan, Chris Gethard, Joey Ryan, and Tom Papa.
Performance Today
- Long-form, in-studio segments with a variety of classical artists.
Visit the ‘Episodes’ section of the pages below to find new fundraisers, with suggested pitch points following each rundown:
News
BBC World Service (generic promos and pitch points)
The Daily (generic promos, pitch points and listener testimonials)
Marketplace
- Marketplace (11 promos with Kai Ryssdal, pitch points)
- Marketplace Morning Report (10 promos with David Brancaccio, pitch points)
- Marketplace Tech (8 promos with Molly Wood, pitch points)
Arts and Culture
Live from Here (fundraising episode, pitch points)
The Splendid Table (6 promos with Francis Lam, pitch points)
Classical Music
Classical 24 (11 promos with C24 hosts, pitch points)
Performance Today (7 promos with Fred Child, 5 in-studio segments with guest artists, pitch points)
Pipedreams (6 promos with Michael Barone, pitch points)
SymphonyCast (6 promos with Alison Young, pitch points)
Custom Promo Requests
We encourage you to use our new fundraising promos, but we’re here to help if you need a custom spot. Please complete our custom promo form.
Due to ongoing production schedules, please allow 3-4 weeks for custom promo delivery, and up to 6 weeks for BBC World Service spots. Note: BBC World Service is prohibited by British law to make direct asks to listeners for monetary support.
Winter specials from APM Celebrates
New specials celebrate winter holidays, history months and remembrance days.
Promote your special programming with digital ads for your website, social media pages, and newsletters. You’ll find them under ‘Marketing Tools’ on the APM Celebrates program pages.
NOTE: You must subscribe to ContentDepot pages for this year’s specials, even if you aired the same title last year.
Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words (Encore)
One hour. Available now through May 16, 2019
Mindy Ratner hosts this powerful, 2017 encore special, with first-person stories by survivors, and works by composers affected by the Holocaust. The program offers thoughtful reflections for International Holocaust Memorial Day (Jan. 27) and Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day, May 1-2).
Order 9066: Japanese American Incarceration in WWII
Three one-hour episodes. Available January 28-March 31, 2019
Order 9066 chronicles the history of World War II incarceration with first-person accounts of those who lived through it. Hosted by Sab Shimono and Pat Suzuki, veteran actors who were both incarcerated at the Amache camp in Colorado, this three-episode series offers a moving tribute for Japanese American Remembrance Day (Feb. 19).
Love is on the Air: A TBTL Valentine’s Day Special
One hour. Available February 1-March 1, 2019
Too Beautiful to Live (TBTL) podcast hosts Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh share stories of puppy love, first crushes, and misadventures of the heart. This lighthearted new special is perfect for Valentine’s Day and winter weekend programming.
Witness: Black History Month
One hour. Available February 1-28, 2019
The BBC World Service presents a new special edition of its Witness program, with incredible, first-person interviews about the African-American experience. This year’s special includes interviews with civil rights activist Gloria Richardson, Superbowl quarterback Doug Williams, and Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
Irish Inspirations: Women in Irish Classical Music
One hour. Available February 28-March 31, 2019
Host Andrea Blain presents this celebration of the lives and achievements of Irish female musicians and composers. Perfect for Women’s History Month and St. Patrick’s Day.
Witness: Women’s History Month
One hour. Available March 1-31, 2019
The BBC World Service presents this new edition its Witness program to celebrate women’s lives and stories. Audiences will hear interviews with Eleanor Roosevelt’s granddaughter, a woman who ran a secret school for girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban, and the astounding journey of the remains of Eva Peron, one of Latin America’s most popular politicians.
Contact your Station Representative to learn more about APM Celebrates, our unique package of holiday programs and more.
Celebrate the new year with new specials
New specials celebrate winter holidays, history months and remembrance days.
Promote your special programming with digital ads for your website, social media pages, and newsletters. You’ll find them under ‘Marketing Tools’ on the APM Celebrates program pages.
NOTE: You must subscribe to ContentDepot pages for this year’s specials, even if you aired the same title last year.
Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words (Encore)
One hour. Available January 3-May 16, 2019
Mindy Ratner hosts this powerful, 2017 encore special, with first-person stories by survivors, and works by composers affected by the Holocaust. The program offers thoughtful reflections for International Holocaust Memorial Day and Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).
Order 9066: Japanese American Incarceration in WWII
Three one-hour episodes. Available January 28-March 31, 2019
Order 9066 chronicles the history of World War II incarceration with first-person accounts of those who lived through it. Hosted by Sab Shimono and Pat Suzuki, veteran actors who were both incarcerated at the Amache camp in Colorado, this three-episode series offers a moving tribute for Japanese American Remembrance Day.
Love is on the Air: A TBTL Valentine’s Day Special
One hour. Available February 1-March 1, 2019
Too Beautiful to Live (TBTL) podcast hosts Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh share stories of puppy love, first crushes, and misadventures of the heart. This lighthearted new special is perfect for Valentine’s Day and winter weekend programming.
Witness: Black History Month
One hour. Available February 1-28, 2019
The BBC World Service presents a new special edition of its Witness program, with incredible, first-person interviews about the African-American experience. This year’s special includes interviews with civil rights activist Gloria Richardson, Superbowl quarterback Doug Williams, and Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
Irish Inspirations: Women in Irish Classical Music
One hour. Available February 28-March 31, 2019
Host Andrea Blain presents this celebration of the lives and achievements of Irish female musicians and composers. Perfect for Women’s History Month and St. Patrick’s Day.
Witness: Women’s History Month
One hour. Available March 1-31, 2019
The BBC World Service presents this new edition its Witness program to celebrate women’s lives and stories. Audiences will hear interviews with Eleanor Roosevelt’s granddaughter, a woman who ran a secret school for girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban, and the astounding journey of one of Latin America’s most popular politicians.
Contact your Station Representative to learn more about APM Celebrates, our unique package of holiday programs and more.
Holiday programming schedule
Here’s what audiences will hear on our regular programs next week.
Additional details, and/or programming changes, will be shared via ContentDepot.
Marketplace
- Marketplace Morning Report: Live broadcasts
- Marketplace Tech: Monday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25 shows will include replays of this year’s favorite interviews on automation in the workforce, regulating tech companies, self-driving cars, artificial intelligence and battling fake news.
- Marketplace (p.m.): Live broadcasts. Interview with Birchbox CEO Katia Beauchamp about the economics of subscription boxes (date TBD).
BBC World Service
- Newshour:
- Monday, Dec. 24-Friday, Dec. 28: Reports on the war in Yemen and its affects on the women who live there. 9 a.m. ET and 3 p.m. ET editions.
- Tuesday, Dec. 25 editions include the annual quiz. James Coomarasamy tests Newshour presenters on their knowledge of 2018 events and newsmakers. Available for download on ContentDepot through Monday, Dec. 31.
- Friday, Dec. 28: Correspondent’s Look Ahead 2019. Lyse Doucet hosts this year’s discussion with BBC senior correspondents, who share their predictions for the big news stories of the new year. Available for download through Thursday, Jan. 3.
The Daily
Pending programming changes due to the potential government shutdown, audiences will hear encore episodes next week:
- Monday, Dec. 24: Korea
- Tuesday, Dec. 25: Climate change
- Wednesday, Dec. 26: Family separation
- Thursday, Dec. 27: Trump taxes
- Friday, Dec. 28: Kavanaugh reaction, with new content, including reactions from teenage boys
Performance Today
- Monday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 25: Holiday-themed music
The Splendid Table
- Saturday, Dec. 29: Michael Solomonov, Philadelphia chef and author of Israeli Soul and Zahav, talks about Israeli food and disaster stories, and takes questions from callers with Francis.
Live from Here
- Saturday, Dec. 29: Year-end compilation show with 2018 highlights