"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 went on to explain that it could not have been possible without the support and enthusiasm of its listeners whom the station could call for advice. This is why the WQXR Listener Advisory Committee was created. Sanger detailed how it came about.

"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% of the respondents 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 were seriously considered and acted upon.

For this gathering, Sanger wanted to thank committee members with a series of free concerts at Hunter College. This talk was given as an introduction to that series.

WQXR transcription disc label for Elliott Sanger's talk about the WQXR listeners advisory group.

(Courtesy of the University of Georgia Peabody Archive Collections)