St. Louis’ KFUO-FM, Classic 99, is the oldest surviving FM station in St. Louis. Its 62nd year is ending on a sour note.

Classic 99 is currently St. Louis’ only classical music station. It has been sold, and in a matter of months, will stop broadcasting classical music. The station, owned by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), will begin playing contemporary Christian music.

According to a press release from LCMS, “KFUO-FM will continue to play classical music until the final closing, which we expect will occur with FCC approval. Joy FM currently broadcasts Christian contemporary music and is expected to continue that format on 99.1.”

Some listeners still hope that the station will continue playing classical music.
“If we did close, my personal opinion is that there are too many people who love classical music in St. Louis, and there would probably be a new station started at some point,” Assistant Program Director John Clayton said.

According to Clayton, two groups have filed petitions to preserve the radio station.
“They’ll decide if what is said in these petitions affects the ability of these other folks to obtain the license,” Clayton said. “If they decide they cannot, then we’d probably stay where we are.”

Many people enjoy listening to classical music, and are opposed to the other rap, pop, and news stations in St. Louis.

“I’ve been listening to it for about 10 years,” Department Assistant for Music, Visual Arts and Drama Stephanie Manny said. “I like to listen to the classical station because it’s soothing and calming in comparison to other stations on the radio.”

Manny is unhappy about the station closing.

“I like all types of music, all genres of music, but it’s just something different to listen to and to find out that it’s not going to be around anymore makes me sad because it’s one of my favorite stations,” Manny said.

Clayton residents will also miss the station.

“I love classical music and I think the entire Clayton community will miss it as well” freshman Meredith McMahon said.

If the station does move from its current location, it may reopen later on.

“The LCMS also is investigating a way to provide classical music at another location on the FM dial,” LCMS said.

It is understandable to sell a station in this economy, but LCMS said that the station was not sold because of financial difficulties.

“This sale is intended to enable the LCMS to pursue new and exciting opportunities in the area of digital communications that can be used to accomplish our mission,” LCMS said in a statement. “Discussions about the possible sale of the station began before the economic downturn occurred.”

But people at the station naturally don’t want it to close.

“There is profound sadness at the station, and for me personally,” Classic 99’s General Manager Dennis Stortz said.

Although it is not definite, it looks like Classic 99 will be closing. But listeners haven’t given up hope quite yet.  ⎫