Radio Announcer credited for Community Station
TALENTED radio announcer Brian Hall (Moeraki) is crediting a community station for playing a huge part in his admission to one of New Zealand’s premier broadcasting schools.
Brian has been a volunteer at Howick Village Radio (local area 88.1FM) since it began and says the varied practise it provides has prepared him well for the industry.
The 20-year-old starts his degree at the New Zealand Broadcasting School in Christchurch next month, after three years on Howick’s airwaves.
“Howick Village Radio has played a huge part in my getting in there,” he told the Times. “It’s basically what I talked about in my application interview. Unless I’d done the volunteer work, I wouldn’t have known how to do things they asked, like voicing ads.”
The former Macleans College student has donned many hats since he helped get Howick Village Radio off the ground, after gaining a diploma in commercial broadcasting.
“Back in 2008 after I finished my course, I registered my interest and started a show during the
day and a weekend show.
“I was doing top-40 pop music on the weekend and easy listening during the week. I continued the easy listening right through and finished the top-40 show about a year ago.
“I’ve been on air, done outside broadcasts, hosted Howick Music in the Park back in 2008,
playlisting, scheduling, voicing, you name it I’ve done it.”
He says the hours he’s spent at the Picton Street studio, combined with part-time work at the
Radio Network, was a key factor in being one of 22 successful applicants, from a pool of 200.
‘When I first got on air I was terrible. I listened to my first air tape and it was crap.
“If I listen to my show now, I do think I’m more ready for the industry. There’s a big improvement from when I started.”
Station manager Mike Rowse says Brian’s departure leaves a large hole in the line-up.
“His experience and enthusiasm will be a big loss. He’s always made himself available to
help train up other people. “It’s great that we’ve been able to provide a platform for him to
hone his skills and keep his hand in the game. It’s certainly an element of pride that in years to
come he’ll have on his CV that he got his start and experience on Howick Village Radio.”
Mr Rowse says the role the station can play in preparing potential broadcasters benefits both parties.
“Howick Village Radio volunteers who are looking at broadcasting school, or are here in conjunction with their training, are enthusiastic, take it seriously and rarely miss a show.
“Being able to provide a place where people can get on-air time is something we’re proud of.
“It’s one thing sitting in a classroom and learning it all in theory, but to get out there and behind a microphone gives an extra bit of confidence.”
Mr Hall says he’ll miss the intimacy a community station offers that a commercial network might not have.
“The pros of a volunteer station are talking to people in the local area that you can relate to and knowing what’s going on in the community.”
Anyone wanting to get involved with Howick Village Radio (local area 88.1FM) can email [email protected].
“I’ve been on air, done outside broadcasts, hosted Howick Music in the Park back in 2008, playlisting, scheduling, voicing – you name it, I’ve done it.”
He says the hours he’s spent at the Picton Street studio, combined with part-time work at the Radio Network, was a key factor in being one of 22 successful applicants, from a pool of 200.
Source: The Howick Times.