David Ginder

Music Director and Morning Host, Classical WETA 90.9 FM

David Ginder, WETA-FM's early-morning host, grew up in a household where a pipe organ occupied most of the living room.

His instruments were piano and cello and, although his Ithaca College degree is in broadcasting, he divided his school time about equally between the music building and Ithaca radio stations.

Ginder's commitment to public radio started in upstate New York with a commute to and from a young station that took almost as long as his show there. It was the early Saturday morning program at WSKG in Binghamton.

He went on to WITF in Harrisburg (although the station was located, during his early years there, in Hershey on the corner of Chocolate and Cocoa Avenues) where he was music director. Ginder hosted the afternoon show, scheduled music, and produced and hosted a busy schedule of local concerts for broadcast.

In Gainesville, Florida, Ginder taught public radio skills to University of Florida journalism students at WUFT.

Ginder came to WETA in 1989. He lives in Virginia with his wife and their three cats. In his spare time, he enjoys birding and bicycling.

A conversation with David Ginder

How did you first become interested in classical music?

A few things really influenced me while I was growing up in Syracuse [New York]. First of all, my father was an organist, and also very interested in the instruments themselves. We had a lot of organs in the house, including a pipe organ that took up most of our living room. I probably inherited some of his interest because I started taking piano when I was very young—probably aged six or so. When I got older, I took up the the viola and cello, and played in the orchestra at my high school, which had a great music program.

Also, while I was growing up, Syracuse had a commercial classical music station called WONO. While the station was almost always in financial trouble, it managed to stay on the air for years and we always had it tuned in our house. I think listening to that station both expanded my appreciation for classical music and perked my interest in radio as well.

What do you think of Washington as a environment for classical music? How do you think it compares to other areas in the country?

This market is unbelievable as a classical market. The proof of it is in the number of choruses there are and the number of orchestras that exist here. In addition to the big orchestras like the NSO and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, we have many other vocal and instrumental ensembles. We also have a lot of fantastic venues. All of these places have busy concert seasons, which are sold out or almost sold out. I think Washington is an outstanding city for classical music.

What is your favorite venue in the Washington area?

I'll narrow it down to two: The Opera House at the Kennedy Center and the Music Center at Strathmore.

I've seen some excellent performances at the Opera House, primarily by the Washington National Opera. Fidelio, Billy Budd and Susannah are some of my favorites.

As for the Music Center at Strathmore, I just love the way that the hall looks and love the way that it sounds. Of course, I'm a bit biased. I do pre-concert events there with the BSO pretty regularly. Still, I think most would agree that it's a wonderful venue.

You're on-air at 6AM. Have you always been a morning person?

I don't think I've always been a morning person, but I've discovered that morning is the time I prefer to work. Morning is when people are starting their day and what happens between the time the radio alarm goes off and when they get to work has an impact on how their day goes. I try to present a positive, reassuring voice on-air. You are going to experience a lot of junk throughout the day. If you are strong in the morning, you are better able to deal with it.

Any favorite memories of people you've met or experiences you've had related to classical music?

When I was playing the cello for the high school orchestra, Frederick Fennell, the "Father of the Wind Emsemble," visited our school and worked with us one afternoon while he was in town for a concert. I already knew there was a technical part to music and an emotional aspect to it, but Dr. Fennell introduced life to the art as I had never experienced it before.

In that 50 minute rehearsal, it crystallized in my heart what music really was--a link between the composer, musician and listener that you cannot describe in words. It's heart to heart. I'll never forget that experience.

My hope is that working in radio allows me to be part of this communication process.