Now celebrating 12 years on the air, WRCJ 90.9 FM and HD-1 is a listener supported classical & jazz music public radio station licensed to Detroit Classical and Jazz Educational Radio, LLC., and managed by Detroit Public Television and the Detroit Educational Television Foundation Board of Trustees. The station is located inside the Detroit School of Arts, a public high school training young people for careers in performing, visual and media arts.
WRCJ broadcasts classical music from 5 am to 7 pm each day and jazz overnight. Dave Wagner is the program director and on-air host during the morning and afternoon drive times. Detroiters Maxine Michaels and John Penney play jazz on Friday and Saturday nights respectively. Jazz overnight weekdays is brought to you by Jazz Network hosted by Dave Schwan, John Hill, Neil Tesser and Dee Alexander.
Hour Detroit has honored WRCJ-FM for “Best Playlist” four years in a row; and named Dave Wagner “Best Radio Host” in 2015.
WRCJ receives no ongoing funding from the State of Michigan, City of Detroit or Detroit Classical and Jazz Educational Radio, LLC. The primary source of our annual operating budget is voluntary contributions from listeners like you. Thank you!
Our Mission
– Encourage people to attend live concerts and events
– Connect artists and arts organizations with greater audiences
– Provide musical experiences for people of all ages
– Promote arts education
– Present the world’s best classical and jazz music
WRCJ 90.9 FM is a 501 (c)(3) organization located at 123 Selden St., Suite 250, Detroit, MI 48201. 313.494.6400 or 90.9@dptv.org. Connect with us on Facebook.
I started listening about 2 years ago and fell in love with the station so soothing and educational. I have wanted to donate for a while but never have had the opportunity. My mother passed away this April and when I heard the fall drive started today I had to become a sustaining member in her memory because when I listen now it reminds me of her and I thank you for all the wonderful beautiful music that bring loving memories of my mother every day
Hello Jennifer, sorry to hear about your mother. If our music can be a pleasant soundtrack for you to remember her, that’s wonderful. Welcome to the WRCJ family and we appreciate your support. Thank you.
re: Guryan, Margo:Chopstick Variation
Hi Peter
Loved the introduction to this song/arrangement. It sounds like something I wish my piano teacher would have handed me after Scott Joolin in the late 60s / early 70s.
I enjoy your show everyday while I’m working. You had some big shoes to fill, but I think you have pulled it off! Thanks for coming to the WRCJ listeners’ rescue!
Hello Betsy, thanks! We appreciate you listening each day. We sure you would have done a fine job performing that piece as well.
Thank you for playing Verdi’s “Nabucco” again, and for playing another Strauss waltz. We cannot forget these genius composers.
You sure enjoy the Strauss family!
THANK YOU for playing such a beautiful classic as Verdi’s “Nabucco” – an unforgettable piece!! (7/31 at 6:10 pm) 😀. 😊. 🙃
Sure, you’re welcome.
What is the name of the Latin jazz tune played on Monday July 29 at 9:45 pm. I heard a brief homage to “Putting on the Ritz” near the end of the selection
Hello Devon, that was “Puttin’ On The Ritz” by Bill O’Connell from his album “Jazz Latin”.
How come your playlist doesn’t give accurate info at the right time? Tried to find 3 cornered hat on the 25th about 9 a.m. Not there. P.S. Are we still contributing $10 a month? Have been doing that for a long time. P.S.S. You are with us daily.
Hello Dave, that piece wasn’t originally scheduled but Dr. Dave had some extra time so he added in Manuel De Falla’s “El Sombrero De Tres Picos: Danza Del Molinero (Farruca)”. It was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim and featuring mezzo soprano Jennifer Larmore. Thanks for tuning in each day. We will have Member Services check to see if you are still doing $10 a month and get back to you.
Dave Wagner was in rare form this morning! After the Jurassic Park theme and the Let in the Clones comment, I haven’t stopped smiling all morning! Thanks for the morning drive-time laugh!
Yes, he is quite a goofball. We do our best to contain him but…
Love hearing Kol Nidre now (Tuesday, November 13, around 5:30). Thank you. The only thing that could improve on this is to hear it closer to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Can you please tell me the playlist for Sat November 10, 2018. Between 11am to 12pm. There was a fantastic piece I’d like the name of.
Sure, here you are Kurt:
11:07AM Hugo Friedhofer – The Best Years of Our Lives: Theme
London Symphony Orchestra
John Williams, conductor
Sony 62788
11:11AM Elmer Bernstein – The Great Escape
Royal Philharmonic Pops
Elmer Bernstein, conductor
Denon 75288
11:14AM John Williams – Born on the Fourth of July: Theme
Boston Pops Orchestra
John Williams, conductor
Sony 64147
11:22AM Stanley Myers – The Deer Hunter: Cavatina
London Symphony Orchestra
Stanley Black, conductor
MCA 25192
11:29AM Alan Silvestri – Forrest Gump: Suite
Studio Orchestra
Alan Silvestri, conductor
Sony 66430
11:38AM James Horner – Legends of the Fall: The Ludlows
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
David Arnold, conductor
Mercury 4812810
11:44AM James Horner – Legends of the Fall: Off to War
London Symphony Orchestra
James Horner, conductor
Sony 66462
11:52AM John Williams – Saving Private Ryan: Hymn to the Fallen
Boston Symphony Orchestra
John Williams, conductor
Dreamworks 50046
Please tell C. Sharp that on the Monday show a couple of weeks ago, when she was doing ballet in the studio to one piece, I was doing as much dancing as I could while driving. So her confession led to a BIG smile on my face for not being able to resist either.
Ok, Sherry will do. Be careful dancing and driving. Maybe just stick to upper body dancing.
Dear WRCJ,
When I was driving along I94 last week, 17th or 18th, I think, when Dave Wagner was host, I got into something just after the beginning and really enjoyed it, even though it was modern. It turned out to be something like a Flourish for the City of Bristol on the 600th anniversary of the granting of its charter by Malcolm Arnold (Malcolm Arnold was the composer; Edward III granted the charter) or somebody like that. I looked on your playlists for the two days but could find nothing that sounds like it. The University of Michigan Music Library has no recording of it, so I wonder what you played, i.e., proper title, name of orchestra and conductor, record company, etc. Thank you very much, and thank you for your wonderful programming.
Sincerely,
Carrie Carnes (Ms)
Hello Carrie, yes that was Arnold’s “A Flourish for Orchestra, Op 112”. We played it on the 16th in the afternoon. Here is the cd if you want to take a look: http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/Playlist?source=WRCJ&date=201805161800
I LOVE MSU In Concert. What a great show. Is it only on for an hour on Saturday mornings? I could definitely listen a longer show. It is just amazing!
Hi Liz, yes sadly only an hour for now but we can mention that to the MSU folks. We are pleased to hear you are enjoying it!
Our daughter was born in January and we have had WRCJ on basically 24 hrs/day…raising her on the good stuff! Thank you for playing formative, quality music with hardly any interruptions. In a world of so much garbage media, it is such a blessing to have WRCJ. Thank you!!
Yes, raise her on the good stuff! Congratulations on your new addition and thanks for listening!
Hello my new favorite radio station!! I recently found this station on a search through the radio dial for something different. I was loyal to CBC radio 2 100.5fm here in Forest Ontario. But recently they cut the nightly Jazz program called Tonic. No it only plays Saturday nights at 8. I guess what I mean to say is thank you for being different than everything I hear ever day on every other radio channel. From Frank in Forest Ontario
Oh hi Frank, welcome! We try to have a nice mix, a little something for everyone. Enjoy and thanks for listening!
I WAS DRIVING AND COULDN’T WRITE THE INFO….WHAT SONG WAS PLAYED TODAY (NOV 3OTH) AT ABOUT 8:20 AM…….starts off with bagpipes and then transitions to singers singing Amazing Grace ??
I LOOKED AT THE PLAYLIST AND COULDN’T COME TO GRIPS WITH THE TITLES VS. WHAT I HEARD (which could show an AMAZING lack of knowledge on my part).
PLEASE HELP!! It as was a moving piece as I was driving downtown into a beautiful sunrise .
THANK YOU!!
Hello William,
That was “Amazing Grace” performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from their album “Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing”. We hope you enjoyed it (and the sunrise).
Can you play some Tony Bennett ?
Hi Andrew, we will suggest that to our Jazz hosts. Thanks for listening!
I see the new jazz line up and am so happy Maxology has remained but I am wondering what has happened to Tony Mouad (spelling>) ? I really enjoyed his selections
Hello Kristine, Tony Mowod’s show had some technical difficulties that were never resolved so we decided to go in a different direction. Maxine Michaels and John Penney remain though. Here is a link to our new jazz lineup: http://www.wrcjfm.org/2017/08/new-jazz-lineup/
What happened to the individual who did the traffic and news on WRC ? Tony B???
Hi Don, Tony was just on vacation briefly. He has returned!
Re: C. Sharp hosting for the wireless: ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC on all levels. I have heard her previously and I am always amazed at her effervescence. She is enthusiastic, spontaneous, and cheerful. Her uplifting personality resonates with a positive energy contagious to all listeners. The comfortable lilt and cadence of her voice is captivating. It is totally refreshing to listen to her lively commentary. She would be perfect for replacement of Chris in this slot, or any slot for that matter.
A loyal listener, and thank you WRCJ for providing such a beautiful venue. Gail