KPR announces new evening classical host

LAWRENCE — Kansas Public Radio has a new evening classical host. 

Former evening classical host Cordelia Brown transitioned into her new role as classical music director, and longtime volunteer host Marcia Higginson stepped into that role as the new host for evening classical. 

This is not an entirely new role for Higginson – she hosted classical music on Friday evenings at KPR for the better part of the last decade.

Higginson has a long history with KPR. She began her radio career at KANU while earning her graduate degree in musicology at the University of Kansas, and she worked with KWRT during her time living in Missouri. After moving back in range of KPR, she began volunteering with the station and moved to a permanent position hosting classical music for the past nine years. 

Higginson also brings years of experience in music education and community music groups to this role. She earned a music teaching certificate at Fort Hays State University and taught elementary music in Hays. Higginson also served as an assistant director for Allegro Community Children’s Choir for 10 years and is proud of her membership in the William Baker Festival Singers.

Higginson’s lifelong passion for classical music is clear. 

“I enjoy programming classical music for radio because it’s a creative process," she said. "I get to create a flow of pieces that provides variety in sound, mood, form and style. And there is so much variety. That’s what’s fun for me.”

Classical music fans can now hear Higginson on KPR from 7-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 8-9 p.m. Thursday.

KPR, an 18-time winner of the KAB’s Station of the Year, licensed to the University of Kansas, broadcasts on 91.5 FM and 96.1 FM (KPR2) in Lawrence, 89.7 FM in Emporia, 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City, 89.9 FM in Atchison, 90.3 FM in Chanute, and 99.5 FM and 97.9 FM (KPR2) in Manhattan. 

KPR can be heard online at kansaspublicradio.org, and KPR2, a news-talk programming stream, which can be heard on an HD receiver or on KPR’s website.