A
Monument
to the
Maestro

All Classical Radio's
James Depreist Recording Studio

Join in the creation of an unprecedented tribute to the legendary conductor in All Classical's new media arts center at KOIN Tower.

All Classical Radio is excited to announce The James DePreist Recording Studio – an unprecedented tribute to the legendary conductor in All Classical’s new media arts center at KOIN Tower.

James DePreist, one of the first African American conductors to achieve international renown, served as Music Director for the Oregon Symphony from 1980-2003. Though his impact on music began long before and extended after his tenure in Oregon, the mark he left on our state and arts ecosystem was incomparable. Most notably, DePreist pioneered 15 groundbreaking recordings with the Oregon Symphony, which earned national and international acclaim, launching the orchestra’s esteemed reputation. Read more about Jimmy and his legacy.

With enthusiastic endorsement from James’ widow, Ginette DePreist, and support from the All Classical Board of Directors with a matching challenge, All Classical will memorialize this artistic leader with a state-of-the-art recording studio to recognize his extraordinary achievements. Your gift now will help make this monument a reality.

GET INVOLVED

All Classical Radio is amid a capital campaign to relocate to the iconic KOIN Tower in downtown Portland in 2024. This strategic, operational move will center the station as a cultural hub with cutting-edge broadcasting studios and gathering spaces to support creatives, community members, and culture bearers alike, offering a comprehensive media arts center unmatched in Oregon. Learn more about All Classical’s capital campaign.

Your gift of any amount to our capital campaign will help to build a state-of-the-art recording studio in All Classical Radio’s new headquarters at KOIN Tower, bearing the name of James DePreist.

The All Classical Radio Board of Directors has put forth a $500,000 matching challenge for all donations made to this legacy project. Your meaningful investment in this transformative project – matched dollar for dollar – will provide unparalleled resources for musicians and community members alike, expanding opportunities for ALL to experience the life-enhancing benefits of music, the arts, and the humanities. Let’s celebrate Jimmy with this fitting tribute. 

To learn more or for assistance in making a donation to this legacy project, contact Director of Development Allison Fuller allison@allclassical.org | 503-802-9412. To share this opportunity with others, download or print the PDF flyer.

ABOUT THE STUDIO

The new space at KOIN Tower will feature a 3,000 sq. foot, one-of-a-kind, 100-person performance hall, and events space (available for performances of local musicians, composers, artists, writers, children’s theater, and more). Arguably, the biggest game changer for our region is the adjacent, state-of-the-art recording studio built to support, amplify, and document the creatives of our time.

The James DePreist Recording Studio will foster a more complete understanding of the Black artistic pioneers that shape arts/humanities in Oregon and provide equitable access for artists from communities historically underrepresented to record work, tell our communities’ stories, build portfolios, launch careers, and share on All Classical’s wide-reaching broadcast platforms (250,000+ regular regional listeners and thousands more digitally worldwide).

Our Sponsors

Logo: Art in the Pearl, Fine Arts & Crafts Festival

Meet all of our sponsors  |  Become a sponsor

  • KQAC 89.9 Portland/Vancouver
  • KQOC 88.1 Newport/Lincoln City
  • KQHR 88.1 Hood River/The Dalles
  • KQHR 96.3 Columbia Gorge East
  • KQMI 88.9 Manzanita
  • KSLC 90.3 McMinnville
  • 95.7 FM Corvallis/Flynn