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Northern Public Radio celebrates shared Rockford space with open house

September 18, 2014
Members of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce join employees of Northern Public Radio and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the opening of their shared space offices at the Riverfront Museum Park in Rockford. (Photo by Sue Stephens)

Members of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce join employees of Northern Public Radio and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the opening of their shared space offices at the Riverfront Museum Park in Rockford. (Photo by Sue Stephens)

On Wednesday, Northern Public Radio and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra celebrated the opening of their new shared space in the Riverfront Museum Park in Rockford with an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony officiated by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

The new shared-space partnership allows better collaboration opportunities for the development of programs and initiatives, better service to the community and enhanced educational opportunities to build both an awareness of and passion for the vibrant classical music scene throughout the Northern Public Radio listening area enhanced by the 24-hour classical music programming on Classical WNIU – 90.5.

“Northern Public Radio has been part of the Rockford community for 30 years and the event was a wonderful show of support from station listeners and friends,” said General Manager Staci Hoste. “We’re grateful to the many folks who showed up to tour the space, meet the staff and celebrate with us.”

Rockford Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Einar Forsman, begins the ribbon cutting ceremony while Staci Hoste, Director and General Manager of Northern Public Radio, and Julie Thomas, Executive Director of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, wait to address the open house attendees. (Photo by John Hill)

Rockford Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Einar Forsman, begins the ribbon cutting ceremony while Staci Hoste, Director and General Manager of Northern Public Radio, and Julie Thomas, Executive Director of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, wait to address the open house attendees. (Photo by John Hill)

Located at 711 N. Main St. in Rockford, this space is the primary home of both Rockford Symphony Orchestra and Northern Illinois Radio Information Service (NIRIS), the Northern Public Radio broadcast service that provides current print information to blind and print-impaired citizens of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

“Rockford continues to be an important part of NIU’s strategic initiatives.  From covering news to collaborative projects the station continues look for more and better ways to serve our listeners and the community at large,” Hoste concluded.