Residents in southern Utah now have the option of tuning in to classical music, broadcast directly from Dixie State College.
"We hope that the music we play will lift up and inspire the community, much like this community has lifted and inspired Dixie State College," said Paul Bulkley, the station's program director and adjunct radio professor at Dixie.
Dixie's old radio station, which played mostly top 40 selections from vinyl records, phased out when its license lapsed in 1999, but students are relaunching the station with a classical twist, "because they know that a classical station will go a lot further on their resumes and cover letters," Bulkley said.
The entirely student-run KXDS has been previewing on Simmons Media station KURR 103.1 FM, since Monday, while its permanent location, 91.3 FM, is getting some final tuning. The school's own Classical 91 should be up and running within 30 to 60 days. The station is still looking for underwriters and will need translator help in outlying cities to maintain the breadth KURR currently enjoys in the region.
Until now, St. George has had a number of country music stations, one boasting classic rock, a couple of hip-hop stations and various talk and news radio stations. Bulkley said more than 17 percent of the traditional audience in the area is 55 or older, and the classical genre caters more to the widespread audience.
"We hope it will attract students in the music department," Bulkley said, adding that the school has recently announced a new four-year music degree. Students have the chance to earn a small stipend while garnering radio production experience working as announcers and DJs at the station.
Bulkley said the program teaches students how to voice-track, recording enough sound to last an entire afternoon and giving them the experience that employers are looking for.
KXDS' broadcast range will cover Washington County and most of southwestern Utah, including as far north as Enterprise and Cedar City, along with coverage in Kanab and Mesquite, Nev. In addition, the station will stream online at new.dixie.edu/classical91.
The overall hope of the department is that the new station will attract more students, as well as listeners within the area, who can become supporters of the community-supported radio station.
"We hope that it will be a benefit to the college and to our listeners," Bulkley said.
E-MAIL: wleonard@desnews.com