October 20, 1946

"WQXR is a different kind of radio station," said WQXR Executive Vice President and General Manager Elliott Sanger. Indeed, operating and programming a successful commercial radio station between 1936 and 1946 without catering to the lowest common denominator was fairly unusual. He goes on to explain that it could not have been possible without the support and enthusiasm of its listeners upon whom the station could call upon for advice. This is why the WQXR Listener Advisory Committee is so important and how it into existence.

"We wanted a cross-section of the people who listen to WQXR," said Sanger. A detailed questionnaire went out to 11,000 people selected at random from the then 26,000 subscribers to the station program guide. Nearly 8,500 people answered the 82 questions, a phenomenal rate of return. Additionally, 85% added comments and suggestions WQXR staffers compiled into 900 pages of feedback on the station. This group was invited to join an advisory committee. 2,496 agreed and they were balanced with a randomly selected group of non-subscribers making a 4,500-person committee. The committee had no meetings but continued to respond to station queries that Sanger said got serious consideration and action. For this gathering, Sanger wanted to thank them with a series of free concerts at Hunter College of which this talk is a preface. There is no concert with this recording.