To the Editor of THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE:- 
I am a daily reader of The Eagle and a constant listener of WAMC. I was privileged to meet and hear Clarence Fanto and Alan Chartock at the taping of The Media Project in Pittsfield not long ago. I have supported fund drives and sung the praises of our fine local newspaper and public radio station. I am not a frequent complainer or letter writer. But today I am moved to send this for the benefit of Clarence Fanto and Alan Chartock.

It is Saturday morning and my radio is silent. There are no gentle bird songs and no beautiful classical music to be heard. There is however, a letter to the editor in The Eagle from someone who like myself is extremely disappointed with the loss of "Pro Musica" from the WAMC format, and an article by Clarence Fanto stating that we should support our excellent radio station and listen to WMHT for classical music.

There are problems associated with Mr. Fanto's thinking. Namely, that many folks including myself cannot receive WMHT on their radios. Also, the demographics of the Berkshires are not representative of the three to five percent of the U.S. population at large who listen to classical music. The number here is far greater. Many have relocated here or are here on weekends to enjoy the cultural atmosphere of this wonderful region. 

While I listen to Peter Schickele and Car Talk with relish during the week, I look for a change of pace on the weekend. Only a Game is a far cry from hearing Robert J. Lurtsema begin the day on Saturday morning.

Leave the talk show format for weekdays and bring back the gentle sounds of classical music on Saturday morning! 

So Mr. Fanto and Mr. Chartock please reconsider your words and deeds. Do not try to placate us with attempts at assuaging us with commentary and suggestions that make this segment of the listening public seem expendable or relics of the past.

Mr. Chartock, please return to the high standards that you generally adhere to and return classical music to the Saturday morning format. 

HELEN E. RADIN
Great Barrington, June 3, 2000

Editor's Note: Robert J. Lurtsema's "Morning Pro Musica" program is no longer on the air because the host is ill and his program has been terminated.  WAMC still offers 10 hours of classical music on weekends, 11 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.