|
 |
SUPPORT XLNC1 |
 |
|
|
Site Navigation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kingsley T. McLaren
A native of New Zealand, Kingsley McLaren's interest in music began early in life. As a child he studied piano and later added violin, voice, and organ. During his teens he played in his local youth orchestra, was organist and choir director in a city church, and also sang in a madrigal group and barbershop quartet. Kingsley took to the world of opera after winning an aria contest. He sang two roles in his hometown before leaving New Zealand for London, where he majored in voice and piano at the Guildhall School of Music. There he was awarded his FGSM (Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music London). While still in college he performed regularly in medieval banquets, recitals, and oratorio performances. He also sang in a long-running musical at the London Palladium and on tour.
After arriving in the United States, Kingsley again became involved in church music as an organist and choir director, and he also returned to the world of opera. For five seasons, he performed with Houston Grand Opera, singing supporting roles, doing bit parts, and participating in the chorus. During that time, he was approached about joining the on-air staff of KLEF, Houston's classical music radio station. After three years at KLEF and moving into the position of Music Librarian/Program Coordinator, Kingsley was offered a position as Program Director/Morning Host at 94.1 KFSD in San Diego. During his 11 years with KFSD, it consistently ranked in the top-three classical stations in the U.S., frequently taking the number-one spot.
Following the purchase of KFSD by Nationwide Insurance and its change of format, Kingsley was invited to join the Astor Group in North County where he consulted on programming and hosted the morning show weekdays and pre-recorded Sunday Morning Brunch a three hour program beginning at 10:00am and running until 1:00pm. During this time, Kingsley also accepted the position of Executive Director of the San Diego Master Chorale. He remained with the Chorale for three and a half years, during which time he improved both earned income and wrote many successful grants. When he departed the Chorale, Kingsley left a budget surplus almost equal to a full year's operating budget.
Kingsley is passionate about using the broadcast medium for the good of the community and has used his high profile status to the benefit of many organizations including those for the disabled, cancer research, homeless and most especially blood and bone marrow donation. He is on the National Bone Marrow register and has given over 25 gallons of blood since coming to San Diego in 1986.
Kingsley is still in demand as an emcee for charitable fund raising events and has worked with Mainly Mozart Festival, San Diego Blood Bank, Community Service Center for the Disabled, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, San Diego Symphony and City Ballet.
Kingsley joined XLNC1 in July 2003 as an on-air host and created his own unique program, The Sunday Concert Hour with Kingsley McLaren. This program, which was later changed to Musical Notes, explores a particular theme, presenting masterpieces from the classical repertoire and offering insights into the music as well as anecdotes about the composers. By popular demand, Kingsley turned his trademark treatment to the world of opera. His program, Great Operas, Great Moments premiered in May 2004 and quickly developed a devoted following.
Outside of radio, Kingsley is dedicated to the great joys of his life: his two recently adopted sons Tyson (Born 1999) and Taylor (Born 2000), who frequently accompany him to station events. Tyson has declared that he wants dad's job at the radio station when he grows up.
If you are interested in contacting Kingsley, send an email to kmclaren@xlnc1.org |
|
|
|
