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Good Luck, Mark!

WKAR

Mark Schwitzgoebel, your favorite WKAR classical music morning host, hangs up his microphone next week.

After nearly three decades of service to WKAR, MSU and countless thousands of listeners over the years, Mark will bid farewell to his radio audience and retire from 90.5 Classical.

Mark's last official day on the air will be next Wednesday, November 26th.  WKAR will have a number of special broadcast celebrations for him in the next week, including a profile on Current State, and an in-studio "open house" show with station colleagues on Monday, November 24th.

Mark's comrade Jody Knol has put together a wonderful conversation with his longtime associate and friend.  You can hear that interview on Current State - also on the 24th.

Below is a little sample of what you'll hear.

Best of luck Mark.  We'll miss you a lot.  And don't be stranger!

Jody:  I was gonna ask you what you like the most about being a music host...

Mark: I like being on the air. I like the idea of bringing a program that I've put together to my audience. It's always interesting to think about the fact that there are thousands of people out there that are listening. You don't feel that way when you're in the studio sometimes by yourself. But it's a great joy and I know you have the same feeling as well...

Jody: Years ago we had more power outages here in the building than we do now.  We have a generator now at the CAS building. But before that, when the power went out, we had to go out to our Dobie Road transmitter to play music and keep our station on the air. Did you ever make one of those treks out there?

Mark: Yes!  Hal Prentice and I gathered up our CDs and took a coupla CD players and a portable mixing board. We were broadcasting outdoors. Luckily it was in the summer. I don't know what we would have done had it been in the winter...20 below or something like that.

Jody: Are there any particular pieces of music or composers that you've grown to love during your time here as a music host?

Mark: I think you probably know the answer. I would say Ralph Vaughan Williams is my favorite composer. I still remember the first time I heard the Tallis Fantasia. I really did cry when I heard that.  It was overpowering to me.

(Music swells/Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis)

Jody: It's interesting that you like that sort of pastoral music...since we're going to be putting you out to pasture...(Laughs)

Mark: (Laughs)

Tune in for the complete conversation with Mark and Jody on Current State, Monday November 24th at 9am and 6pm on 90.5FM or noon on AM870.

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