Bill Kling, president of Minnesota Public Radio, talks about MPR’s SOS drive in support for the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
In an unprecedented show of community support, a total of $741,269 was pledged to save The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) in a 35-hour on-air fundraiser October 29-30, 1993 on Minnesota Pulbic Radio. At that time the world-renowned orchestra was the nation’s only full-time chamber orchestra, and was celebrating its 35th anniversary that season.
The FCC granted a waiver on October 26th, lifting a restriction of MPR’s non-commercial status for a 35-hour period, saying the waiver would serve the public interest.