WQXR Morning Show Host Jeff Spurgeon to Retire After Three Decades on the Station

Paul Cavalconte Named Interim Weekday Morning Host Beginning This September

NEW YORK, NY – May 28, 2026 – WQXR announced today that beloved morning show host Jeff Spurgeon will retire at the beginning of September, following an extraordinary career that has helped define classical radio for listeners in New York and around the world. Spurgeon, who joined WQXR in 1996 and whose radio career has spanned nearly fifty years, will continue hosting the station’s weekday morning program through the summer.

“What a wonderful adventure it has been to explore the world of classical music with the listeners of WQXR. Now, after a long, rich season of 30 years at the station, it is time to conclude my part in that adventure,” shared Spurgeon. “I am unceasingly grateful to my employers for the opportunities I’ve been given, to my colleagues for their collaboration and support, and to WQXR listeners for their kindness. I shall continue to be a listener and financial contributor, and I look forward to what’s next at the station as WQXR, later this year, begins its 10th decade of service to classical music in New York City.”

Over his remarkable tenure at WQXR, Spurgeon has become one of the most trusted and recognizable voices in classical music broadcasting, attracting many of the world’s most inspiring and talked-about artists from classical music and beyond.

In addition to his daily morning program, Spurgeon has been a key presence at many of the station’s signature live events and broadcasts, including as a co-host of Carnegie Hall Live. His elevated yet conversational style has given listeners an intimate and insightful look into the creative lives of artists including pianist Sir Andras Schiff, soprano Renée Fleming and conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin. This summer, he will participate in upcoming WQXR events including live broadcasts in July from Carnegie Hall and the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park.

“Jeff has been the weekday morning companion for generations of WQXR listeners. He’s often the first voice in someone’s day and the soundtrack to their morning routines. Through his humor, insight and warmth he has connected a vibrant community of classical music lovers, making the music both accessible and inspiring. From the anticipation of his daily Morning Bach feature to the challenge of Know-It-All New Yorker trivia, Jeff has brought joy to listeners across New York and around the world. We are profoundly grateful for his years of dedication and for the extraordinary community he has built around the station,” said Eileen Delahunty, Head of WQXR.

At the end of the summer, veteran New York radio host and current WQXR weekend morning host Paul Cavalconte will step in as interim weekday morning show host. Cavalconte brings more than 40 years of radio experience to the role, including stints with one-time classical station WNCN in New York and the national syndication of Classic FM UK. In addition to his presence on WQXR, Cavalconte will continue to host his weekend specialty programs Cavalcade on WFUV and New Standards on WBGO.

“Jeff has made countless contributions to WQXR content over the years, but he has also mentored and helped professionally develop so many folks at the station. His remarkable gifts and unwavering excellence as a broadcaster are matched by his kindness, collaborative spirit and incredible sense of humor that all of us have been lucky to experience as his colleagues,” adds WQXR Program Director Jenny Houser. “Though we’ll miss Jeff’s voice on the airwaves, I’m excited for our weekday morning listeners to spend more time with Paul, a familiar voice who brings his own sense of fun, wonder and love of classical music to the host’s chair.”

Later this summer, WQXR will mark Spurgeon’s retirement and invite listeners to celebrate the station’s popular morning host with special on-air programming and online features incorporating messages from fans, colleagues and artists. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.