The station, KBIA, is owned by the University of Missouri, which also
owns an NBC affiliate tv station here.  Broadcast journalism students
work together with professionals on both.  Of course, students do none of
the programming.  The interaction between the radio station and the music
department is nil.  No student or faculty performances are broadcast, and
as far as I can tell, there is no input from the music dept.

The university does have a good music program, at least when looking at the
level of professors, classes and students.  However, it is not supported
adequately by the university.  Many students complain about the fine arts
building, but I think it is adequate.  A more serious problem, however, is
the lack of a performance hall.  The bands are forced to rent a private
theatre to perform in for concerts, and hitherto the orchestra did the
same.  Now it is too large to fit in the theatre and performs in Jesse
Auditorium in Jesse Hall.  Although this is university property, the
conductor had to go to great lengths, as I understand, to get concert
dates.  Still, the dates given were not close to what was requested and
therefore there is a poor rehearsal schedule for the orchestra.  Understand
that Jesse is used by the university to house a concert series, which
includes the Saint Louis SO, and other acts that demand ticket prices.
To top it off, the acoustics really suck.

As you can see, it is not a good situation.  How many other state
megauniversities have to put up with this? If anyone feels moved and wants
to sign a petition or something let me know.:)

Kyle Major
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