Carolinas broadcast host Mike McKay will be waking up Charlotte-area listeners an hour earlier each day, leading off a series of schedule changes announced today by WDAV 89.9 Classical Public Radio.

“As we approach our 30th anniversary, we want to redouble our efforts to provide the best service to our listeners,” explains new General Manager Benjamin K. Roe. “That means more programming produced and tailored to the needs of our Carolinas listeners, whether they are starting their day a little sooner, staying up a little later, or interested in the great arts organizations right here in the Carolinas. Our goal is to bring the unique musical experience that WDAV provides closer to home.”

The following schedule will take effect Monday, September 1, 2008:

5 to 10 a.m.
The friendly and familiar Mike McKay presents choice classical selections from the WDAV library, as well as local weather and traffic reports and previews of key area arts events. NPR News headlines occur on the hour, and the Morning Market Recap airs at 7:10 a.m..

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mid-day host Jennifer Foster now takes you all the way to 3 p.m. with her engaging style and the best of classical music. Listen to The Mozart Café every weekday at noon, as well as Jennifer’s award-winning Main Street Sessions, featuring live music from the WDAV studios.

3 to 5 p.m.
Transition from workplace to home with classical music and Joe Brant. Traffic reports begin each weekday at 3:45 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m. Follow the day’s news stories with the Local Stock Report at 4:58 and NPR News headlines on the hour between 4 and 6 p.m.. Survey new classical musical releases with Joe’s New Classics -- each Friday at 3 p.m..

5 to 7 p.m.
The Peabody Award-winning Performance Today now airs from 5 until 7 p.m.. The program’s magazine-style presentation of the freshest personalities and performances in classical music captures concerts across the nation and around the globe. It’s a great companion for the drive home. Fred Child hosts from American Public Media, with Joe Brant on hand to keep you updated with what’s happening in the skies above and on the roads ahead.

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Joe Brant caps off the workday with the Symphony at Seven. Every weeknight Joe selects a complete symphony, from well-known masterworks to seldom-heard gems.

8 p.m. to Midnight
Frank Dominguez’s reassuring presence and carefully chosen blend of orchestral and chamber classics on Night Music now adds an extra day (new on Sundays!) and an extra hour (until midnight) to relax and refresh the spirit.

>>See complete programming schedule.

Since taking the helm as General Manager in July, Roe has made other changes to WDAV’s program schedule. As part of the station’s expanded commitment to local programming, WDAV has introduced Artist Spotlight with Rachel Jeffreys, airing Sunday afternoons at 5 p.m. Each week, Jeffreys samples recordings by a different musician or ensemble, with brief interview segments that provide insights on their artistry.

Rachel Jeffreys is also the host of Choral Showcase, a new WDAV show that airs Sunday evenings at 6 p.m.. It’s a one-hour sampler of sacred and secular music in the thousand-year old tradition of choral music. On this program, WDAV listeners will hear regular appearances by such stellar local ensembles as Nova Voce and Renaissance.

Celebrating its 30th year on the air, WDAV 89.9 is a member-supported public radio service of Davidson College. WDAV listeners receive the highest quality classical-music programming, as well as promotions spotlighting the activities of local arts organizations and artists of all disciplines. For more information and to listen to WDAV live online 24 hours a day, visit http://www.wdav.org.