I’m currently preparing to go on the radio tomorrow morning for a little spot on a classical music show. The radio station is WORT 89.9 fm, and the show is called Other Voices. It’s a show that focuses on women in classical music. Then why the heck am I going to be on it?

Well, my extensive science fiction soundtrack collection has shown me consistent patterns and themes running throughout the SciFi film/TV genre. Not only have my ears picked these things out, but my lady-love Ariela has been sprinkling musicology terms in my midst and it’s hard not to think about them. Consequently, I have come to notice and understand the pervasive influence of Gustav Holst’s The Planets in science fiction music.

So Monday the 28th of April, I’ll be talking about Holst and SciFi music and the composers that wrote that music. All men. On a show about women. Actually, the feminine focus of this portion of this week’s show will be on the Holst pieces that will be played - the chorus was conducted by a woman named Ann Howard Jones. It’s hard to find women conductors, let alone composers. Still, that’s what Ariela has been trying to do for the last few months - cuz she’s been part of the show Other Voices!

Funny thing, I nudged her to get on the air in Davis, and now that we’re in Madison, she got on the air before I did! Still, being down in the WORT studio will give me an opportunity to ask a couple questions about the progress of my application. Since Ariela’s inviting me on the show, I guess you could say I’m sleeping my way to the top!

We’ll be in the WORT studio from 5:00 am to 8:00 am Central Standard Time, but we’re going to start the Holst-Fest at 6:45 am. We’ll be doing Holst’s The Planets with the chorus conducted by Ann Howard Jones, and interspersing commentary and clips of science fiction film music inspired by (or just plain stolen from) this fantastic piece. On 89.9 for the locals. If you’re not local, you can listen live on the internet, too!

Of course if you’re sleeping at the time, stay tuned and it will be available for you to download online.