88.7KXMS / Fine Arts Radio International :
A Cultural Resource of Missouri Southern State University

Home of the Fine Arts Radio International  Awards, 88.7KXMS is the Four State area source of classical music, folk music, and literature 24 hours a day. Licensed as a classical radio station to the board of governors of Missouri Southern State University - Joplin since April 1986, KXMS has since expanded its broadcast reach and influence via the Internet and has focused its mission as a broadcast media champion of classical music education.

With studios located in the Communication Department in Webster Hall, 88.7KXMS / Fine Arts Radio International  also provides professional leadership and personal guidance by experienced broadcast professionals for MSSU students seeking a future in the communications industry.

KXMS has never sought to be public radio "office music." Rather, the station attempts to relate its program offerings to events both topical and cultural, providing local programming that parallels the academic mission and international focus of its parent institution. While sometimes offering programming that is overtly instructive, the radio station more often tries to be culturally informative while remaining solidly entertaining. Those efforts are largely reflected in the comprehensive music listings at its Web site, www.kxms.org.

88.7KXMS became an international broadcast presence on September 3, 1998, when President Julio Leon unveiled the station's unique Internet alliance with The Net Advantage of Joplin. Missouri Southern began sharing its broadcast day with avid listeners from across the United States, the rest of North America, and around the world at its Web address, www.kxms.org. World listeners have taken particular note of one unique feature of the radio station: a special comprehensive collection of national anthems was amassed to underscore MSSU's international focus. 88.7KXMS regularly airs musical observances of the national days of virtually every sovereign nation and territory of the world. More recently, streaming audio files of events and lectures at Missouri Southern State University have been archived on the KXMS Web site for convenient worldwide access at any time.

To fulfill its missions of fine arts music and promotion of Missouri Southern State University, 88.7KXMS / Fine Arts Radio International is principally affiliated with four national networks: Public Radio International, WFMT Fine Arts Network, WCLV/Seaway Productions, the Beethoven Satellite Network, and the Metropolitan Opera. These networks provide KXMS with a broad range of unique, high-quality programming that help convey an institutional commitment to world cultures, the fine arts, and excellence in broadcast services.

Locally produced programming on 88.7KXMS reflects both the varied interests and activities at Missouri Southern State University and the breadth of talented expertise available on its campus. Recitals, readings, and limited series have emanated from the KXMS studios through the years, produced by broadcast professionals, teaching faculty and students. Live broadcasts from Webster Hall auditorium and Taylor Performing Arts Center have allowed Missouri Southern State University to share its campus presentations with a much wider audience.

Most notable in the category of local programming has been the station's commitment to live and recorded broadcasts of the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition. The MSIPC, a cultural resource unique in the state of Missouri, has come to the attention of a world radio audience via www.kxms.org with a mix of traditional recitals, competition segments, and a unique evening's entertainment with KXMS playing host in a narrated presentation of the grand prize winner.

Besides its vital financial commitment from Missouri Southern State University, 88.7KXMS / Fine Arts Radio International also benefits significantly from support by The Klassix Society, the official friends group, first convened in 1990. It has been the Klassix Society's mission to communicate to the KXMS audience the need for individual and corporate support and to bring area listeners together for annual wine tastings, theme dinners, occasional concerts and shows.

In early 2000, the Klassix Society augmented its long-standing scholarship support of classical music education with the inauguration of the Fine Arts Radio International Awards. The first annual lifetime achievement award was given to Dr. Karl Haas in recognition of his immeasurable 42-year contribution to classical music education through his daily radio series Adventures in Good Music. The program, syndicated through WCLV/Seaway Productions, delights listeners throughout North America, Australia, and Europe.

The winners of the Fine Arts Radio International Award are Edward Tarte (2000), a high school math teacher from Kingwood, Texas, producer of the Mr. Music series, producers David Ford and Russel Sarre (2001) from KMFA-FM (Austin, Texas) for their innovative music education program, Mind Your Music, and Eric Benjamin and Jim Mehrling (2002) for their well-written series Klassical Kids from WCLV-FM (Cleveland, Ohio).

The Fine Arts Radio International Awards continues as a yearly event to honor internationally renowned radio broadcasters associated with classical music, and to recognize the efforts of program producers who advance the cause of music education. In 2001, composer/satirist Peter Schickele received the second Lifetime Achievment Award for his long-running radio series Schickele Mix at a live presentation at the OK Mozart Festival in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Through this international awards program, the Klassix Society brings Missouri Southern State University and 88.7KXMS / Fine Arts Radio International to the attention of broadcasters and music educators internationally.