Sunday Serenade aims for a more tranquil and relaxed atmosphere than the regular GDR playlist, with a blend of singers (sopranos, tenors and baritones), light music orchestras and choirs in equal proportions, each track coming from a different performer. The first hour features favourite ballads and tunes from the great musicals of the 20th century. Following the midday news comes half an hour of brass and military band music. At 10 to 1 listeners are reminded of their schooldays with a classic poem read by a well known artist, and after 1 o’clock we turn to the traditional and popular songs of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England.
How did you first connect with GDR?
Just before I retired in 1992 I saw in the “Green Guide” a paragraph about a test broadcast by a group seeking to establish a radio station for senior citizens. I tuned to the station and telephoned in response to the call for volunteers. Later that year, the founders of GDR invited me to become the treasurer of the interim committee. I was elected to the Committee of Management at the first AGM in 1993 and have been on the Committee ever since, serving as Station Manager, Program Manager, President and, currently, Treasurer.
Why did you want to be a presenter?
I was attracted by the potential to serve the lonely and the housebound and also by the concept of allowing retired people to experience for the first time the pleasure of presenting a radio program for their peers. My first experience was as a panel operator for the test broadcasts from Southland in 1993. My first regular timeslot was as the Saturday breakfast presenter in 1994.
What experience do you want to give your listeners?
I have a particular interest in the melodic and sentimental style of music which was popular 100 years ago, and I like to keep this alive each Sunday at 11 am.