KXMS Radio hits 25 years

April 5 marked the 25th anniversary of Missouri Southern's KXMS Radio station, which has been known to play classical music.

To celebrate the occasion, Jeffrey Skibbe, KXMS radio manager, played the very first song that ever aired on KXMS back in 1986 at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The song "Prince of Denmark's March" by Jeremiah Clarke, a British composer of the Baroque period, was chosen to be the first song played by former University President Julio León on the day he was inaugurated 25 years ago.  

"We have a video of the inauguration to confirm the selection," said Skibbe.

Skibbe says that the station played music written in 1986, such as "Sonata for Violin, Op. 40" by Miklos Rozsa, which is Hungarian music written by the man who wrote film-scores such as "Ben Hur."

Near the end of the day, the station played "Variations of Happy Birthday" in styles of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, Dvorak, film music, Ragtime, Tango and Czardas. To close, they played "The Anniversary Song" by Al Jolson.

Skibbe says that KXMS has never celebrated any other anniversaries, and that the silver anniversary is one that is very special.

"As [Communications Department Head] Jay Moorman says, we won't be here to celebrate the station's golden anniversary," said Skibbe.

Members of KXMS are planning a re-dedication ceremony on June 23 at the new alumni center, which Skibbe believes is important to the community because KXMS has been so valuable to the local public for so long.

"This is Southern's way of reinforcing its commitment to the community as a valued community partner," said Skibbe.

Skibbe has been at Missouri Southern for 21 years and says he has been able to do more on the air at KMXS than ever before. He previously worked as general manager of public radio at KMUW in Wichita, Kan., where he celebrated a 40-year anniversary there.

"I recall we produced an old-timey radio poster," said Skibbe. "I can't recall that we did anything special in programming, mostly print material through our radio development office."

In future years to come, KXMS at Missouri Southern plans to do a lot more on air, such as scholar radio projects, which they hope will engage students in public schools in the area. Going forth with such ideas will require resources for the station, in terms of both finances and personnel.

"...Southern has been a good platform for the kind of fine arts radio I believe is valued and worthwhile," said Skibbe. "Quality and consistency is important, and we have high expectations and have done our best to maintain high standards for 25 years."