KWIT-KOJI FM90 Announces New Choral Program

KWIT-KOJI FM90, Sioux City, Iowa, announces the addition of a locally produced choral program to the station’s Sunday morning line-up from 10 to 11 a.m. CST beginning Sept. 9.

The 13-week series, “Sunday in Siouxland,” will be hosted by Dr. Sean Burton, associate professor of music, Gilchrist Foundation director of choral activities and division chair of arts and humanities at Briar Cliff University (BCU). “Sunday in Siouxland” will feature recorded selections of choral music, chosen by Burton from a wide range of sources.

The collaboration between KWIT-KOJI public radio and BCU is a new venture. Burton is excited about the program and the opportunity to share his passion for choral music with FM90 listeners. “The focus of this program is to emphasize the beauty and spirituality choral music brings to our everyday lives,” Burton said.

FM90’s general manager, Gretchen Gondek, is thrilled by the partnership between BCU and KWIT-KOJI. “The addition of a choral program enhances our Sunday morning line-up and underscores our commitment by providing listeners with high quality, locally produced content,” Gondek said.

The program will benefit from Burton’s extensive experience in the field of choral music. In addition to his current academic positions, he is also director of music at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City and founding artistic director of the Siouxland Choral Artists, the region’s only auditioned adult chamber choir. He has been featured as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, or presenter in 15 U.S. states. Dr. Burton possesses significant international experience as well, having led choirs under his direction throughout Canada, Mexico and Europe including performances in some of Western civilization’s most historic epicenters such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Salzburg Cathedral, Saint Peter’s Basilica, Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi.

The author of one book and some forty other publications, Burton is emerging as one of the most prominent choral scholars of his generation. He earned the a bachelor’s degree in music education, summa cum laude, from the Hartt School – University of Hartford, a master’s degree in conducting from Boston University, and a doctoral degree in choral conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

KWIT-KOJI FM90 is a broadcast service of Western Iowa Tech Community College. The station’s programming is supported by The Friends of FM90 KWIT-KOJI, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting public radio in Sioux City and the Iowa Lakes Region. More information can be found on the station’s Web site at www.kwit-koji.org.