Congratulations –

CFRU-FM: The Sentinel’s Marvellous Kaleidoscope - Nicholas Cooper

The Sentinel’s Marvellous Kaleidoscope (The SMK / Scope) is a 2-hour syndicated eclectic music program, broadcasting weekly every Monday from 3 to 5 PM EST from CFRU 93.3 FM in Guelph, Ontario. The Scope is over 4-years on-air and about to reach its 200th official main series broadcast! It is programmed and hosted by its guardian overseer Nicholas Cooper [he/him/their]. He curates constellatory observational sessions that look inward and beyond at unique sonic discoveries of progressive, fusion and alternative music and everything in between, near and far. In recent years, it has expanded beyond its progressive rock origins, accepting of the multitudes of musical spheres out on the ever-changing horizons, searching and focusing on music by Canadian and independent artists, and of artists belonging to marginalized groups, such as the BIPOC, FNIM and LGTBQ+ communities. To its current knowledge, the show now syndicates at 7 campus/community radio stations across Canada: CHLY 101.7 FM in Nanaimo, BC / CJMP 90.1 FM in Powell RIver, BC / UMFM 101.5 + CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg, MB / CFRC 101.9 FM in Kingston, ON / CHSR 97.9 FM in Fredericton, NB / CJBU 107.3 FM in Sydney, NS. The Scope has been able to sustain itself through the COVID-19 pandemic with pre-recorded programs, and a short run of LIVE-AT-HOME broadcasts in the Fall 2020 season. The most important programming feature during this pandemic, which has thankfully continued from its in-station version, is the show’s interview/performance series via remote long-distance means, currently called An Audience FAR FROM the Observational Tower. Through virtual video/audio communication programs such as Zoom and Skype, the SMK has been able to keep talking and supporting artists and giving them a platform to share their music and stories with its listeners. This has been especially meaningful during a time when musicians are struggling to create and share their art during our current global crisis. // For The Sentinel’s Marvellous Kaleidoscope’s submission for the Syndicated Radio Show award, you will hear an audio excerpt of Show 180: The Precious Times - SMK’s 4-Year Anniversary. It was originally broadcasted on November 9th 2020 at CFRU 93.3 FM. This LIVE-AT-HOME program celebrates the show’s 4th year of existence and being on-air at CFRU, its home station. It has grown and adapted so much, through difficult and proud times. A particular facet of its achievements is being able to find syndicate homes at stations across the country. At the time of this broadcast, the show was knowingly being syndicated by CHLY, CJMP, UMFM, CFRC and CHSR! (At the time of this submission, CKUW and CJBU have become part of the SMK’s syndicate family.) Nicholas chose to celebrate Year 4 by featuring the music of artists who were part of their Audience interview series between Nov 2019 to Nov 2020, including live in-studio before the pandemic, and pre-recorded long-distance during the pandemic. The soundscape of this broadcast is populated by folk noir, jazz fusion, experimental electronic, post-progressive ambient, alternative rock, punk, psychedelic folk, new wave and progressive rock music, the majority composed by Canadian artists and a decent number identifying as BIPOC and/or queer.