Radio and podcasting are big parts of how people communicate these days. Aside from traditional over the air stations, radio now includes listening at work on the computer and following a favorite personality’s podcast for entertainment. Volunteer State Community College has added a new Digital Radio Media concentration to train students for radio and podcasting careers, as part of the Entertainment Media Production program.
“Podcasting is one of the easiest ways to be part of the digital broadcasting world,” said faculty member Dianna Monk. “We’ll teach you the techniques the pros use, and help you become your own favorite podcaster. We’ll also show you how to break into the industry.”
Monk is general manager of WVCP-FM, the Vol State radio station. It provides hands-on opportunities for Vol State students. Katie Burke of Castalian Springs has a voice sweet as molasses with a Louisiana lilt. But it takes skills to be a radio announcer, in the many forms it takes these days. She’s getting that experience in the Comm 130 Announcing class.
“I love it. It’s actually one of my favorite classes. I enjoy working in the studio. Everyone has told me I’m really good at talking, but you have to practice to have a speaking voice.” Katie says her childhood is a big influence on this late-in-life career choice. “It was WTIX in New Orleans and Wolfman Jack on the radio. There was nothing else.”
The college is offering more classes this spring. COMM 202- Promotions and Programming teaches students how to keep audiences interested in radio stations and podcasting channels. COMM 2010- Production for Radio and Podcast tackles the audio elements used to make the on-air product exciting for the listener. The COMM 130 Announcing class provides hands-on training for voice tracking, interviewing, podcasting, sports public address announcing, station imaging creation, reading news, and voicing commercials.
Digital Radio is just one of the concentration areas in the overall Entertainment Media Production Program. The other areas are: Music Production, Music Business, Video Production, and Multi-Media and Web Design. The great thing about being an EMP student is that you can customize your education to include classes from some of these other areas. And you’ll be working with students with a variety of backgrounds and skills. We have direct connections to the Nashville entertainment industry and top-of-the-line studios. Visit www.volstate.edu/entertainment for details.
Pictured: Vol State student Katie Burke in the WVCP-FM studios for her Announcing class.
