I'm very proud to say that I grew up listening to WFMT. It was constantly on in my house. And, while many classical radio stations -nationwide or in Chicago - have moved online or dissipated, WFMT has persevered. I think that this fact speaks volumes about its leadership and listener base. The format is mainly classical music, although they do lean towards folk music on some evenings (um, no thank you). WFMT has it's own traditions, such as all commercials are read, not recorded. There are no irritating commercial breaks. And, it's funny when their stuffy voices read Red Lobster commercials. I especially enjoy celebrating the birthdays of familiar composers. And, on those days, expect to hear a day devoted to some of the more famous pieces and work of Bach/Mozart/Rachmaninoff. Today, in my house, the tradition continues: I get the chance to share my love for this station with my children. And, I want you to know that I totally could have blended my feelings for this station with some Haydn wordplay, but chose not to (you're welcome). read more

WFMT General Public Info - Radio Stations Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I grew up listening to WFMT and it's still the station I have on most of the time, especially in the car on my way to and from work. Classical music is the soundtrack for my life. My favorite hosts are Carl Grapentine, Suzanne Nance, and Candice Agree. During the morning and afternoon rush hours, they play mostly shorter and lighter works that are enjoyable to listen to while driving. I can thank my parents for introducing me to classical music at an early age. They paid for piano lessons and later on, violin lessons. The violin became my primary instrument, leading to several years playing with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and later on, the NU Symphony. Because of this early exposure to classical music, I find that my life is immensely enriched by having access to it on the radio, and WFMT helps fulfill that need. I don't agree with people that say this station plays a limited selection of music or that the presenters sound monotonous. WFMT has an extremely diverse schedule, offering everything from opera to folk music, symphonic works, chamber music, and choral and organ music. Much like the changeability of Chicago weather, if you don't like what's on at the moment, come back a little while later because it will be something different. read more

When I cannot hear another Britney, Lady Gaga or Rhianna song played for the trillionth time- this is the station I turn to. Even the dog is soothed. You learn a lot more and enjoy a little classic sophistication! And yes, I am in fact dork-a-riffic enough to Wikipedia composer biographies. read more

I love this (mostly) classical radio station for the variety of music they play, as well as the background information given to enhance our listening. My 15 year old daughter likes classical music too, and she laughs when we get into the car and the radio is already blasting classical. She thinks I'm crazy, like all teenagers think of their parents, but at least we agree where music is concerned. I studied classical piano for some years, and she thinks it's cool when I say, "I had to learn that piece." Thank you, WFMT, for making this music available to all. I'm listening right now. Beautiful. read more

Great radio station, making great classical performances available to all. Although definitely agree with Jean about the 3 a.m. Shostakovich - anyone heard of "time to mellow out?" But that highlights how this is a station for everyone in their walk with classical music at different times. For the "easy listening" classical fans, you'll find a "Four Seasons"-like piece coming up shortly. For the high-brow classical connoisseurs, have no fear... Your John Cage "prepared" piano work is right around the corner. And for opera lovers, just listen in on weekends and evenings in particular, and you won't be disappointed. They also offer great thank you gifts during the pledge drives! Tune in to 98.3-FM. read more

98.7, WFMT. This is not only the best classical music station in Chicago, but also the entire country. They don't just play Mozart, Bach, etc. They play pieces from much lesser-known composers. They also give you some background about some of the composers. That's what makes this station so great, usually what I'm hearing is new to me, not the same 10-30 songs most stations play on a loop. They even played songs from disney in the style of Mozart! I got a kick out of that! Another great thing about this station is the commercials. Not that I like listening to commercials, but they are read by the hosts, and they are never the pre-recorded, annoying commercials with stupid jingles. The hosts themselves are very calm and mild-mannered, opposed to the shouting excited DJs most stations have. If I had money to spare I would definitely donate to this station. read more

God, I love this radio station. Classical without being stuffy. Funny without being self-amused. A variety of music and programs - I still love "The Midnight Special." Where else can you hear folk music played on Chicago radio, unless it's some college radio station with a signal too weak to reach beyond the garage it uses for a broadcast booth? Would you believe it - I even like their pledge drives. They discuss interesting things! They pronounce all the funny names correctly! They're erudite! And, wonder of all wonders, they're civilized. Nobody screams. Nobody shouts. Nobody calls another person bad names. The announcers and on-air staff treat the listening audience as if they've got brains. Given all that, it's amazing that they're still on the air. On holidays, or major anniversaries of some special event, they play music, and even spoken word recordings, that celebrate that event. The first day of the baseball season, for example, you can count on hearing Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request." As I write this, the 4th of July is approaching. Friends, turn on 98.7 that day, and keep it on. You will be glad you did. And no, I don't know what will be aired. I only know that it will be interesting, entertaining, fun, and not featured anywhere else. WFMT is a national treasure. You can listen on the internet, if you're away from the radio signal. Love it, love it, love it. I even "like" it on Facebook. read more

WFMT and I are almost the same age. (I'm three months younger.) That gives me the significant advantage of having had it in my life for as long as I can remember, and having it help shape my musical tastes. Now, with WNIB gone, it's the only Classical game in town. That's a sad thing, IMO, in spite of the fact that WFMT is arguably one of the best Classical stations in the U.S. No one could ever accuse them of dumbing down their playlists, though sometimes, at three a.m., I sort of wish that Peter van de Graff would go easy on the Shostakovich. There's a good deal of variety in WFMT's programming, not all of it appealing to me, but of course that's the way it is with any sort of station. On the whole, I'd say it offers a highly diverse and interesting schedule with a little something for almost everyone. Just give it a chance. Love books? Try Victoria Lautman's "Writers on the Record." Want to know more about the history of recorded music? Andy Karzas is the guy who can tell you probably more than you ever imagined you'd want to know on "From the Recording Horn." And if you love a wild and woolly mixed bag of folk, show tunes, comedy and the utterly unclassifiable, "The Midnight Special" is the show for you. Come for any one of those and stick around a bit. You might find you like it. read more

Please forgive me WFMT. Sometimes it takes a while for the light to come on upstairs. I now realize that my quibbles are minor and programming related. However, in the grander scheme of things, WMFT is by far the best radio station in Chicago and quite possibly the Midwest. read more

They are now in their membership drive 11/2015...which I can't stand. I joined last year, and they promised to send 3 CDS of Vera Gornostaeva... I got 1 duplicate and 2 others....I had wanted to give them as Christmas gifts...but ha that never happened. They didn't come until well into January or February of 2015...today for $100 membership you get Gornostaeva again??? and some other things...too much boring talking...membership drive boring read more

I love listening to this all-classical music station, especially when I need to concentrate on something. It's been said that Mozart spurs creativity, and when I am writing I find that the words and thoughts flow well when this station is playing in the background. The announcers are very low key, and their playlist is deep. read more

98.7 WFMT is our preferred Radio Station for the most excellent and enormous sources of Classical Music. WFMT has been our utmost and optimum companion for driving, reading, exercising, and innumerable activities for many years already. read more

We also grew up listening to wfmt, but sadly we have been witnessing it's slow degradation. Presenters sounding more and more monotonous, music selections that are less than inspiring. I agree with the reviewer who stated that wfmt focuses on a limited selection. If you hear a piece played, it's likely to be played again in a few hours. Thank God for those stations that are available online. For example, the UK has Classic FM, which plays such a variety as to please any classical pallette. We are hooked and will never go back. read more

My review is for the broadcast of last night's Fourth of July concert that was performed at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion with Christopher Bell as the guest conductor for the concert. And Dave Schawn which is also a newsman at WGN Radio mainly on Sunday mornings, along with any fill in shifts he has, was the radio host on WFMT for the concert. And they also broadcast some other concerts from the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, this summer I have seen that 10 concerts will also be broadcasted live on WFMT as well, so if you can't make it down for a concert listen to a radio broadcast of it instead. The one downside was at least twice during the concert, Christopher Bell asked the audience what do the audience think of the outfit that he had on. Was he also aware that WFMT was also broadcasting the concert live on the radio, and anybody like me listening to it on the radio, can't see what he was wearing. You can go to their website to see the update schedule on the classical performances coming up, and even when the next time they will broadcast a concert live on the air. I don't know if they tend to switch hosts give everybody a chance to host on WFMT. But if you live to listen to classical music on the radio, then this will be the station for you. read more

WFMT is wonderful. I also grew up listening to it and reconnected over the internet recently. I disagree with the reviewer who states its quality has been declining. Having listened to many classical stations over the years, I can say WFMT has maintained the standard of edifying listeners with challenging music and programming that actually educates. Another reviewer complained that there are not enough war horses (my term, chestnuts would be more polite) played. Thank goodness for that! You'll actually hear current music of living composers. Other stations might as well be easy listening or elevator music and that's their goal. Chicago should be proud it has WFMT. read more

I'm a WFMT subscriber & love this fine station for the quality & diversity of its classical programming. Historically, it has always been about the music not the host. But this didn't seem to be true on the afternoon show with Susanne Nance. From 4 to 7, we could listen to music which served as mere background for her or not. I chose not to, so I'm very pleased she's off to Portland. read more