CHICAGO – July 23, 2018 – WFMT, Chicago’s classical music radio station, announced today that weekend morning host Dennis Moore has been named the new host of its weekday Morning Program, starting on Monday, August 6. He is taking over from the departing Carl Grapentine, who held that position for 22 years. WFMT host Maggie Clennon Reberg will move from her regular 5:00 pm Sunday slot to weekend mornings and weekday evenings.
Moore was chosen to host this program for his innovative and creative approach to programming, his deep knowledge of classical music, and his warm and distinctive voice, so familiar to WFMT audiences. Reberg’s path to WFMT was more unusual: she filled out an online application in response to an open call. Her passion for the genre and unique vocal quality were an instant hit.
”Dennis is the ideal person to helm our Morning Program. I’m excited to see how he will develop the show,” said WFMT Program Director David Polk. “And Maggie is a fresh and exciting new voice. I know that she and Dennis will thrive in these new roles.”
“I am honored and thrilled to bring new energy to a program that is so important to our listeners and to our station,” said Moore. “I’m looking forward to putting my own stamp on it, and I feel privileged to be a part of such a special time of day for the WFMT audience.”
“As a music-loving Chicagoan and devoted listener, WFMT has been a huge part of my life for so many years. Joining the WFMT family in 2015 was a dream come true, and now I am thoroughly delighted to have the opportunity to expand my relationship with my colleagues and fellow listeners,” said Reberg.
Dennis Moore came to WFMT in 1990 from Orlando, Florida, where he had been Music Director at WMFE. Since then, he has hosted music during every daypart on WFMT, produced specials, and served as Program Director. Over the years at WFMT, Dennis has hosted nationally syndicated broadcasts of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and his voice has been heard on many other broadcast projects, including Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Orchestra, Ravinia Festival, Chicago Sinfonietta, Music of the Baroque, and Aspen Music Festival. Dennis gives pre-concert lectures every summer for the Grant Park Music Festival. As a pianist, he performs regularly with his partner, violinist Sara Su Jones, in the UK and Iceland as well as throughout the U.S. Beyond the classical genre, Dennis has produced and hosted broadcasts of jazz and world-music concerts from Millennium Park in Chicago. He has also played Hammond B3 in a Chicago jam band doing original R&B, funk, and groove music.
Maggie Clennon Reberg joined the WFMT family in 2015 as a part-time Program Host. While not on the air, she performs as an actor and musician at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Music Theatre Works, Chamber Opera Chicago, Transgressive Theatre-Opera, Remy Bumppo, First Folio Theatre, and more. Ms. Reberg recently starred as Mother Superior in the 2014-15 National and Southeast Asia tours of the Broadway musical Sister Act, and is also a very busy voiceover talent. With a passionate belief that classical music is for everyone, Maggie brings a fresh and engaging perspective to her broadcasts, as well as unique insights into the musical community of Chicago and beyond.
Grapentine’s last day as a regular host will be Friday, July 27, but he will continue to work on special projects for WFMT, including a regular weekday morning feature, Carl’s Almanac, beginning September 3, and a podcast to be launched in early 2019.
About WFMT
WFMT, founded in 1951, is one of the nation’s most respected classical music radio stations, available on-air at WFMT, online, and via app on Apple and Android mobile devices. WFMT showcases superlative programs, concerts, and live events – broadcasts from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival, the Metropolitan Opera, Ravinia Festival, and many more. WFMT is also a leading producer and syndicator of a diverse selection of outstanding musical series, including Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin, the Beethoven Network, and the Jazz Network. Connect with WFMT on Facebook and Twitter.