Sharing classical music is what I do. It's what I've done since 1971 (yes, I did start young).
During most of those years, you could hear my voice wafting (some might say spewing) from the AM and FM transmitters of Los Angeles radio stations KFAC, and K-Mozart.
For some of that time, I juggled programming for three major markets as Director of Programming for the California Classical Network, which consisted of several stations covering San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Juggle is the word, too, since most of the programming was different for each market. As I recall, that's when a started sporting a few gray hairs.
Outside the studio, I've produced and hosted remote broadcasts of concerts and other classical-music related events, including the popular Hollywood Bowl Guest Conductor Competition.
I have served as the primary pre-concert speaker for several organizations, and regularly appear as Master of Ceremonies at their concerts and events. Speaking of being involved in listener activities, it was a pleasure to host listener tours to Europe. Although I apply the word pleasure, I expect that you understand that these tours are actually hard, exhausting work. Yes, tough work, but someone has to do it, and I never foist the grueling job onto someone else.
Along the way, I earned a Master of Music degree in composition, and I do my share of composing, conducting, arranging, and recording.
My work also includes independent voice-over sessions, some television, and a appearances in two films about the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
California Classical Network
K-Mozart, Los Angeles
KKHI, San Francisco
X-Bach, San Diego
Music Programmer
KFAC, Los Angeles
WQXR, New York
K-Mozart, Los Angeles
Morning Drive
KFAC, Los Angels
KSUR, Monterey, Ca.
Afternoon Drive
K-Mozart, Los Angeles
KFAC, Los Angeles
Evening Concert
KFAC, Los Angeles
K-Mozart, Los Angeles
In The Wings
On the Horizon
CinemaScore
The Romantic Hours
Music On My Mind
Morning Coffee with John
Musical Journeys
Fantasia 2000 (For Disney)
United Airlines
Finnair
Pan American Airlines
Air Force One
Southwest Airlines
Los Angeles Chamber Orch.
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Carmel Bach Festival
Long Beach Symphony
Angeles Chorale
Pacific Symphony Orchestra
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Pacific Symohony
Opera Pacific
Long Beach Symphony
Angeles Chorale
South Coast Symphony
London Symphony
London Philharmonic
The Hollywood Bowl
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Segerstrom Hall, O.C.
UCLA
Walt Disney Studios
Disneyland
LA County Museum of Art
Music Center of Los Angeles
Cerritos Center for the Arts
Norway (chamber music)
Germany (opera)
Germany (symphonic music)
Degree: Master of Music, CSUF, in music theory and composition
Conductor/Music director: Capistrano Valley Symphony
John Santana got his start in radio and television as a teenager in El Centro, California. As a sophomore in high school he hosted the eponymous John Santana Show, a weekly variety program on local TV for which he procured and interviewed guests, played the organ, and even swept out the studio before each show.