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WRTI's Beloved Classical Host Jill Pasternak Bids Farewell to the Airwaves

We have some bittersweet news here at WRTI. After more than 30 years on the radio, our longtime afternoon classical host Jill Pasternak has decided to retire as of September 1st to spend more time with her children and grandchildren.

Although we're so happy for Jill, we'll miss her tremendously. And of course we know that so many of you will also miss her every weekday afternoon. She's been like a friend, keeping you company with her mellifluous voice and heartfelt enthusiasm. Each shift began with the familiar and warm greeting, "Hello! How are you today?" She truly hoped the music would brighten everyone's days, as it did hers.

In addition to her stint as weekday announcer, Jill was the esteemed executive producer and host of the award-winning WRTI interview show, Crossover for over 18 years. She brought us conversations with many of the most important voices in classical music, jazz, Broadway, and beyond. She always had her finger on the pulse of the music that make our lives so rich.
 

Her diverse Crossover guests included Itzhak Perlman, Elaine Stritch, Joshua Bell, Lorin Maazel, Pink Martini, Andre Watts, Erich Kunzel, Sir Neville Mariner, Kurt Masur, Canadian Brass, Diane Reeves, Simone Dinnerstein, Lang Lang, Marvin Hamlisch, Bebe Neuwirth, Jimmy Heath, Michel LeGrand, Herbie Hancock, Billy Joel...and the list goes on.

Additionally, Jill was co-host of The Wanamaker Organ Hour, a monthly show with Macy's Grand Court Organist Peter Richard Conte.

You may not know that Jill is also a gifted harpist, a graduate of Juilliard and a former Fulbright Scholar. As staff harpist at Radio City Music Hall, and with the City Center Ballet in New York, Jill performed with numerous symphonic and chamber ensembles in recordings, on radio, and on Broadway. She also performed for many years in the Philadelphia area and gave lectures on classical music. Her years in broadcasting included stints on WMHT-FM in Schenectady, NY, and WQXR in New York City. Read more about Jill's path to WRTI.
 

Jill with her adorable grandchildren in the WRTI studio.

"We are so fortunate that Jill chose to share her talent and passion for music with all of us," says WRTI General Manager Dave Conant." I know personally that she has loved her time broadcasting to a wide and enthusiastic audience. We all will miss Jill and wish her the best in her new life adventure."

Read this fun Q & A with Jill from 2008.

Pleaseshare your well wishes for Jill in the comments section below. And if you'd like to send her a personal greeting, please send cards and letters to: Jill Pasternak, c/o WRTI-FM, 1509 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19121