"The Sound Experiment" is the brainchild of Ball State University telecommunications major Dan Crall. Original works by musicians from Ball State's Music Engineering Technology (MET) program are featured alongside works by current avant-garde, experimental artists.

Crall, who was hired last November as an IPR board operator and announcer, believes listeners will enjoy the show if they give it a chance.

"I've learned that public radio listeners are pretty open-minded," he says, "But the show's biggest challenge may be finding those listeners at midnight on Sunday."

Brian Eckstein, IPR production coordinator, said "The Sound Experiment" is a history-making program.

"Having a student conceive and produce an hour-long show is unprecedented for us," Eckstein said. "Dan has already edited and produced five shows."

Anthony Hunt, IPR general manager, compares "The Sound Experiment" favorably with the eclectic format of "Hearts of Space," a program popular with many public radio fans.

Crall said he is grateful that Hunt and Eckstein have given him an opportunity to show what he can do.

"It is very important to me to keep only the best music and most interesting material on ‘The Sound Experiment,'" Crall said. "The program is inspired by the many facets of music and creativity in the growing avant-garde style.

"There are many people, young and old, who appreciate a different dimension of art. That's partially what ‘The Sound Experiment' is about," he said. "It's also about giving talented, creative musicians a chance to be heard."

Indiana Public Radio is a service of Ball State University, a Public Radio International affiliate, and a National Public Radio member station. Its format includes NPR, news and classical music broadcast on WBST 92.1FM Muncie, WBSB 89.5FM Anderson, WBSW 90.9FM Marion, WBSJ 91.7FM Portland, and WBSH 91.1FM Hagerstown-New Castle.

The Music Engineering Technology emphasis in Ball State's School of Music combines technology, composition, computer science, performance and recording engineering.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information on this story, contact Indiana Public Radio's Carol Trimmer at ctrimmer@bsu.edu or (765) 285-5887.)