ANDI LAMOREAUX WFMT’s Longtime Music Director Retiring after 52 Years

By Julia Maish |

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CHICAGO – September 1, 2021 – WFMT, Chicago’s classical radio station, this year celebrating its 70th anniversary, is announcing the retirement of longtime Music Director Andrea (Andi) Lamoreaux after 52 years with the organization. Her last day with WFMT will be October 1, 2021.

Lamoreaux arrived at WFMT in June 1969, the same month she received a Master of Music degree in music history from Northwestern University. She was initially hired by Associate Program Director Lois Baum as a music librarian. From there, she progressed to the positions of Program Administrator and then Program Executive creating programs, writing scripts, and editing music listings. In 2001, she was promoted to Music Director, a position she has held ever since.

During her tenure at WFMT, Lamoreaux has been a vital presence and has witnessed key moments in WFMT’s history – the first live Lyric Opera of Chicago radio broadcast in 1971; the visit by composer Dmitri Shostakovich in 1973; WFMT as the first station in the world to broadcast a compact disc in 1982; special appearances by cello virtuoso Yo-Yo Ma, superstar pianist Lang Lang, legendary soprano Jessye Norman, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice (and opera aficionado) Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Studs Terkel’s weekday radio program, his Pulitzer Prize victory, and the launch of the Studs Terkel Radio Archive; and countless live concerts from WFMT’s Fay and Daniel Levin Performance Studio.

“There are milestones in the history of WFMT, and then there is the retirement of Andi Lamoreaux, after more than five decades of service,” said WFMT General Manager George Preston. “Andi’s vast knowledge of classical music, and familiarity with Chicago’s musicians and organizations, have been central to WFMT’s programming and institutional relationships. She has the deepest thanks and appreciation from all of her colleagues, and we wish her a rewarding and relaxing retirement.”

“I will miss my everyday work for WFMT deeply,” said Lamoreaux. “There is a family connection among the staff…an air of good cheer, professionalism and excellence. But I will still be listening.”

Lamoreaux was raised in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and attended public schools there. She earned a BA in music from Wells College in Aurora, NY, and a master’s degree from Northwestern University. She is a longtime resident of Chicago.

WFMT is one of the world’s most respected classical music radio stations, available on-air at WFMT 98.7FM, online at wfmt.com/listen, and on the WFMT app. WFMT showcases superlative programs, concerts, and live events including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Ravinia Festival. 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, Twitter, and YouTube.