WBJC's monthly newsletter to keep you informed about programming highlights, upcoming local events and general station news. View as Webpage
Gratitude
Normally the month of November is one for reflection and gratitude. 2020 has been trying in so many ways, and as I write this, it doesn't look like it's letting up any time soon. But now it's even more important to focus on what we can be grateful for.

All of us here at WBJC appreciate and value your ongoing support of your classical music station. We are grateful that you allow us into your homes, cars, and offices... that you share WBJC and your love of classical music with your friends and family... and that you find comfort and serenity in WBJC.

The Current State of Things at WBJC:

We still do not have the ability to process credit cards. We ARE making progress and are still shooting for a mid-November deadline... which hopefully will allow us to do some form of a Pledge Drive. The sooner we get set up, the 'quieter' our Drive will be! We've selected a processor that connects to both our membership database and the new bank as stipulated by the State of Maryland. WOOT! Unfortunately, this whole thing has been bogged down in bureaucratic red-tape. (If you're out of the loop, here's a blogpost about the issue.)

We did not process your October Sustainer gifts. Once we have the new credit card processor in place and tested, we will begin processing again. If you would like to switch your sustainer pledge over to checks for a little while, you can send them to:

WBJC-FM, PO Box 22342, Baltimore MD 21203-4342

Your check payments are being counted on your sustainer pledges, so if you made October and November, you won't be charged until December. We will NOT automatically back charge any sustainer payments! You'll get an email once we're back up and running and you can instruct us to back charge then if you choose.

We're caught up on premiums! (I actually have one left in my car I need to deliver). We do not have new premiums yet....and we may not until the Winter or Spring pledge drive. This is another casualty of the college shut-down and the extraordinarily long process to get a vender contract.

Finally, this too shall pass. WBJC is strong and we will survive this inconvenience. We’re just embarrassed that this is all taking so long.

Be well,

All of us here at WBJC-FM

P.S. You can still make pledges on the WBJC.com website, but the only selectable option is "Bill Me" pledge. We will then mail out a pledge form and envelope for you to send in your check.
Programming Notes

OPERA DELAWARE @1pm

  • 11/07 - Scalia/Ginsburg & Trial By Jury

LA OPERA @1pm

  • 11/14 - Carmen
  • 11/21 - The Clemency of Titus
  • 11/28 - La Boheme

Your continued support for opera keeps the Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcasts and other live performances on the WBJC Operafest coming to you on Saturdays throughout the year. 

Join Judith Krummeck for an interview series on WBJC devoted to the world of books — from different genres, to book awards, to local and national authors — everything to do with books. Booknotes is made possible by YOU, our members.

This month:



Ben Tanzer is a podcaster, writer, and teacher steeped in the world of books. On Booknotes this month, he talks about the effect of the pandemic on the book industry going forward, and the virtual fall release of his new book, Upstate.

Listener's Choice

John Scherch plays your requests every Friday evening during our long-running request show, Listener's Choice. You can request your favorite music anytime by emailing listenerschoice@wbjc.com or by visiting us on Facebook. You can even call in during the week (410-580-5800) and we'll make sure John gets your request!
From the Blogs
By Kati Harrison 

Film critics like Leonard Maltin have agreed that the 1931 movie, “Frankenstein” has sorely lacked a music score. Then in 2001, composer and conductor Michael Shapiro was commissioned to write the first full music score for the 1931 horror classic directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff. Over the years, Shapiro has arranged the score for “Frankenstein” in three versions to be performed live with the movie.

Michael Shapiro took time to give me the history of his frightening yet multifaceted musical creation. LISTEN HERE
By Judith Krummeck 

From the San Francisco Conservatory, Garrick Ohlsson and Kirill Gerstein will present a two-piano virtual recital of Rachmaninov, Busoni, and Ravel for the Shriver Hall Concert Series on Sunday, November 8th. They give their insights into this more unusual repertoire. Listen here
By Dyana Neal

The school year is underway and many families are struggling more than ever to provide their kids with the items they need to succeed in class. I spoke with Sharon Matthews, Founder and CEO of Wish List Depot, about how her organization seeks to help students in the Baltimore area.
By Judith Krummeck 
 
 
Shifra Malka, in response to the childhood message that she did not matter, instead built a life that matters to her. In writing about her journey, she offers an example to others who may have been hurt by a similar message, and who want to make their lives large and remarkable. LISTEN HERE
By Dyana Neal

Professional historians who choose to write about 2020 in the future won’t lack for material. However, the stories and artifacts of everyday people also tell important stories about life in a particular time. The Maryland Center for History and Culture has an ongoing project called “Collecting in Quarantine” that seeks to document the COVID-era experiences of people from all walks of life. Recently, I spoke with Allison Tolman, Vice President of Collections and Interpretation at MCHC, about the project. LISTEN HERE
Miss Seeing John Shields? Good News!
Your favorite chef is coming to you virtually this month!

Virtual Cooking Demo
Thursday, November 12
Hosted by the Harford County Library

Cooking with John Shields
Thursday, November 19
Hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Trust
Getting a new car? Don’t trade-in, donate!

Before you head to the dealer, plan to donate your older vehicle to WBJC. Usually the value you'll receive for your donation will meet or exceed what the dealer will offer you as a trade-in and is fully tax-deductible. We also take boats and RVs!

Call 855-WBJC-CAR or donate securely online.  Click here to see how easy it is!
MyWBJC is the online Membership Portal that allows WBJC members secure access to their own membership account. Members can view several years of giving history, update contact info, edit/adjust Sustainer pledges, add/delete/update credit cards, and print on-demand tax receipts

If you have already signed up, click this link to log-in:

If you have not already signed up for MyWBJC:

  • Click this link: https://wbjc.secureallegiance.com/wbjc/OnlineDonor/AccountSignup.aspx?AFF=1
  • Fill in your information to request access to MyWBJC.
  • Affiliation: 01
  • Account ID:
  • Create a password that is AT LEAST 8 characters long, containing 1 number, 1 uppercase letter, and 1 special character
  • choose a security question for future password resets
  • Boom! You now have access to your membership
Sponsor Spotlight
By Steve Elville

The 2020 election is upon us. The recent past has taught us that trying to predict the results of an election can be futile at best. Still, our clients need timely counsel regarding their wealth management, and it is our role as advisors to keep them as informed as possible when it comes to potential tax changes on the horizon. While we do not know for sure what the future holds, we do have strong clues as to what the future tax laws may look like... read more here