WDAV 89.9FM
About WDAV
WDAV 89.9, a service of Davidson College and licensed to the Trustees of Davidson College, is a member-supported public radio station providing classical music and cultural arts programming 24 hours each day.
Contribute
Whether you value the musical companionship provided by our local hosts or enjoy being taken to concerts at Carnegie Hall or here in the Carolinas, your support is what makes it all possible. Your support will help WDAV continue to provide great classical music every day – all day.
Station Profile & History
| Licensee: | The Trustees of Davidson College | |
| Power: | 100,000 watts (directional) | |
| Frequency: | 89.9 FM | |
| Type: | Noncommercial, listener-supported public radio service qualified by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. | |
| Hours: | 24 hours/day | |
| Programming: | 24 hours/day classical music, with features and calendar announcements about the arts. | |
| Purpose: | The two-fold purpose of the station is to provide a high quality classical music and cultural arts programming service and to support the activities of local arts organizations and artists. | |
| Budget: | Approximately $1.8 million. | |
| Audience: | Approximately 100,000 listeners per week. Approximately 5500 members. | |
| History: | Idea for station first took shape during the presidency of Dr. Grier Martin. | |
Timeline
1969: President Samuel R. Spencer, Jr. authorized on-campus student station.
1973: Student station upgraded to 10-watt operation.
1978: WDAV begins full service professional operation at 18,500 watts with all classical programming.
1981: Transmitter site change, increased tower height to 350 feet and power increase to 20,000 watts.
1986: Move into then-new McMillan Building.
1987: Grant qualification from Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
1988: Broadcast day extended to 24-hours.
1989: Power increase to 100,000 watts (directional).
1995: Increased tower height to 815 feet to improve signal.
1996: News headlines added from Monitor Radio News.
1997: Affiliation with National Public Radio; addition of NPR News Headlines.
1998: WDAV Celebrates 20 Years of Classical Music & Support of the Arts.
WDAV launches wdav.org website.
2000: First digital recording, editing, storage and automation system installed. Davidson College approves Main Street lot.
2001: Architectural plans for new WDAV facility finalized and approved.
2002: New WDAV facility built and occupied.
WDAV launches online digital stream.
2003: New WDAV facility named the "Samuel W. Newell Building."
2005: WDAV begins transmitting HD (digital) radio signal.
2007: Main Street Sessions series begins.
2008: A VOX Christmas debuts (later renamed Lessons & Carols from St. John’s).
2009: Biscuits & Bach debuts on Sunday mornings (March); A Carolina Christmas from Biltmore Estate with Kathy Mattea distributed by NPR.
WDAV begins producing concert programs from Brevard Music Center (June, July and August).
2010: WDAV begins producing programs from Spoleto Festival USA (May and June).
WDAV begins producing World of Opera (February) and Concierto (October).
2011: WDAV begins distributing World of Opera (October).
2012: WDAV and Concierto mobile apps launched.
2013: Antenna replaced after lightning damage.
2014: WDAV launches Young Chamber Musicians Competition (YCMC) in Tyler-Tallman Hall at
Davidson College.
2015: YCMC expands to national competition.
2016: Reel Music becomes weekly series hosted by Matt Rogers.
YCMC moves to Duke Family Performance Hall at Davidson College to allow for larger audience.
WDAV achieves the #1 audience share of any classical music public radio station.
WDAV begins staging concerts at farmers markets for its Classical Harvest Concert Series.
2017: WDAV debuts a number of podcast series including Classical Road Trip,
Piedmont Arts Podcast, From the John Clark Performance Studio, and WDAV Dispatch from Spoleto.
At the Opera with Lisa Simeone premieres.
WDAV becomes presenting sponsor of the Davidson College Concert Series.
WDAV’s Small Batch Concert Series launched at Free Range Brewing in Charlotte, NC.
2018: WDAV celebrates 40th Anniversary with a number of special station events and projects.