Van de Graaff moves up to program director at WFMT

Peter van de Graaff

Peter van de Graaff, a 25-year veteran of WFMT-FM (98.7), has been promoted to program director of the Window to the World Communications classical music station.

Effective December 3, he succeeds Peter Whorf, who resigned last July to become station manager of public radio WKAR-AM/FM at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

In addition to his duties as a program host, van de Graaff has been program director and the sole voice of the Beethoven Satellite Network, WFMT Radio Network’s overnight classical format service, which airs on 150 stations nationwide.

“Given Peter’s long association with the station, the high regard his colleagues have for him, and his deep and intimate knowledge of all aspects of classical music, I’m delighted he has accepted the position,” Steve Robinson, general manager of WFMT, said in a memo to staffers Monday. “I’m eager to begin working with him in this new capacity, and I know we’ll all give him the support he’ll need as he begins his new duties.”

While continuing to oversee Beethoven Satellite Network, van de Graaff will assume new duties, including music selection, development of thematic programming, selection and placement of outside programming, supervision of announcers, creation and placement of WFMT-produced specials, and all other aspects of programming.

“For the past 25 years it has been my privilege to be associated with WFMT — the greatest and leading light in the classical radio world,” he said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to continuing to build on the excellence that has been WFMT’s hallmark for the past 61 years.”

A Chicago native and graduate of Brigham Young University, van de Graaff began his career at KBYU-FM, the university's classical music station. He joined WFMT as a staff announcer in 1988. He also has performed as a vocalist with opera companies and orchestras around the world.