Penny Smith moves to mid-mornings whilst musicians Ayanna Witter-Johnson and YolanDa Brown OBE join the weekend line-up

From the 22nd May, Scala Radio will be welcoming a new schedule to both their weekdays and weekend programming, to strengthen the focus on the station’s core classical, movie and mindfulness music offering through its personalities.

Weekday mornings will continue with Charles Nove on Breakfast followed by Penny Smith moving into the 10am to 1pm slot; the perfect position for our daytime audience who enjoy Penny’s warmth, knowledge, and engaging conversation. The show will feature some new features and content, as well as a mix of classical music and cultural guests, and live music every Wednesday in the Scala Sessions.

“I am seriously chuffed to be moving to the mid-morning show, where I get to indulge in my passion for reading with the Scala Radio Book Club on Thursdays – not to mention the fact that I’ll be getting up close and personal with musicians at the height of their powers on the Scala Sessions. Plus, guests on Mondays and Fridays and interaction with listeners who’ll be choosing some of the music. I can’t wait.” said Penny Smith.

Sam Hughes will remain at 1pm while Richard Allinson moves to a new drivetime programme at 4pm, and Mark Forrest presents a music-focused evening show from 7pm Monday to Thursday.

The weekend schedule will also see two new presenters join the Scala Radio family with composer, singer, songwriter and cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson hosting a new show between 6-8 on Saturday evenings and on Sundays, saxophonist and composer YolanDa Brown OBE brings her unique style to Sunday lunchtimes from 12-3 giving young families the opportunity to enjoy and love all that classical music has to offer.

Simon Mayo’s much-loved show has a new home on a Sunday morning from 10 whilst composer Jack Pepper doubles up across the weekend with a new show from 3 on Sunday afternoons alongside a new time for his Culture Bunker programme on a Saturday.

Nick Pitts, Content Director of Scala Radio and Jazz FM says: “This refreshed line-up allows us to better match the requirement of our listener’s lives while it continues to provide content for an on-demand world.  With the personalities of Charles and now Penny in the morning along with the more curated music approach into the latter part of the day and evening with Richard and Mark means that we really can provide a perfect soundtrack for the listener.”

He added: “With musicians like Ayanna and YolanDa joining to present great programmes alongside Jack, videogame composer Luci Holland and Mark Kermode continuing to bring his two hours of movie music every week, plus our ongoing commitment to series of special programmes, our new schedule shows that we really are delivering Classical Music for Modern Life.”

Scala Radio’s new schedule starts on Monday 22nd May.

Full schedule details below

Monday to Friday

5am – 7am                                          In the Park

7am – 10am                                       Charles Nove (including Screentime at 9)

10am – 1pm                                       Penny Smith

1pm – 4pm                                         Sam Hughes

4pm – 7pm                                         Richard Allinson

7pm – 10pm                                       Mark Forrest / Friday – Classical Bangers with Darren Reddick

10pm – 1am                                       The Space

Saturday

5am – 7am                                          In the Park

7am – 10am                                       Hannah Cox

10am – 1pm                                       Angellica Bell

1pm – 3pm                                         Mark Kermode

3pm – 5pm                                         Jack Pepper’s Culture Bunker

5pm – 6pm                                         The Console with Luci Holland

6pm – 8pm                                         Ayanna Witter-Johnson

8pm – 10pm                                       Saturday Night Scala with Darren Reddick

10pm – 1am                                       The Space

Sunday

5am – 7pm                                          In the Park

7am – 10pm                                       Hannah Cox

10am – 12pm                                     Simon Mayo

12pm – 3pm                                       YolanDa Brown

3pm – 5pm                                         Jack Pepper

5pm – 6pm                                         The West End Weekend with Jamie Crick

6pm – 8pm                                         Special Programmes and Documentaries

8pm – 10pm                                       Sunday Night Scala with Darren Reddick

10pm – 1am                                       The Space

– ENDS –

Notes to Editors

Additional photo credits:

Ayanna Witter-Johnson image = © Misan Harriman

YolanDa Brown image = © Mariola Zoladz

About Scala Radio:

Scala Radio is a radio brand that breaks the mould of classical music in the UK.

Through their passion for the music and conversation with the music makers and cultural icons, our presenters include Penny Smith, Angellica Bell, Mark Kermode, YolanDa Brown, Ayanna Witter Johnson and Simon Mayo.

Alongside familiar masters such as Mozart, Beethoven and Bach, you can expect to hear contemporary works including film, TV and video game scores, new critically acclaimed artistry and showtunes from musicals.  Music is also the antidote to our busy lifestyles and therefore mindfulness music plays a big part in what we do.

Scala Radio really does provide Classical Music for Modern Life.