I’d considered selling my soul, just so that we could finally put this autumn fundraiser to bed – but the exchange rate is so BAD right now.
Join me this afternoon on The Classical Network for a playlist of music reflective of rash bargaining, including Franz Liszt’s “A Faust Symphony,” Igor Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale,” and Bernard Herrmann’s “The Devil and Daniel Webster.”
Of course, every Faustian pact fulfilled comes with a slight catch.
Technically, we concluded our “three-day” fall membership campaign on Friday. However, there was enough of a shortfall that now we have to make it up by the end of the month. The pitches are now “soft” – comparatively brief solicitations between the full-length pieces that make up the bulk of our regular programming – but unfortunately having to take care of unfinished business means that we’re beginning to cut into Hallowe’en.
I already started trotting out the spooky stuff yesterday, as did Bill McGlaughlin, but I had to drop several pieces, or play them in a less-than-optimal sequence in order to take care of the pressing matter at hand. As of 7 p.m. yesterday, we were approximately $13,000 short of our budgetary requirement for this time of the year. This was, after all, our first on-air fundraiser since June.
I hasten to add, thank you to all of you who have already given. Even yesterday, we took some very generous donations from concerned listeners who understand just how important it is that we raise the money. But it IS Hallowe’en. Wouldn’t we all rather just dress up and toilet paper some trees?
If you haven’t contributed, and you can afford to drop a few goodies into our treat bag, please do so today. Also, alert your music-loving friends, if it’s not too awkward. We cherish our autonomy and our local hosts, and we know that you do, too. You can bolster the Count anytime by donating online at wwfm.org, or by calling us during business hours at 1-888-232-1212.
Today’s Noontime Concert will come to us from the Lake George Music Festival. Tune in to enjoy works by Leonard Bernstein, David Ludwig, and Darius Milhaud. Then give the devil his due. It’s that time of year, from 12 to 4 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.