Thanks to all who came out for live music and performances earlier this month to celebrate the two-year “birthday” of the LCEC’s low-power FM radio station going on-air. Whether you participated in the party or not, you can find WWMV-LP Many Voices, One Community radio operating at 100 watts on-air at 95.5 FM (for about a 10-mile radius away from the Center) and online at WWMV-LP.org. While the sound studio and transmission equipment are housed at the LCEC, programming is pre-recorded by talented community members — including young people — for broadcast to our neighbors and beyond.
This school year, students from three local schools and community centers are participating in Youth in Media Clubs which feature elements of sound and music production geared toward their interests. Through the revolving three-month clubs, middle and high school students learn to create radio shows/podcasts, produce beats, and DJ.
From the beginning, students are motivated to make their unique voices heard, boisterously choosing their own topics to put on the radio, and subsequently creating shows in which they discuss sports, or compare ice cream to frozen custard. This enthusiasm carries over to the beat production and DJ portions of the club, where students work with more advanced techniques, terminology, and tools.
LCEC Radio Station Manager Corey Whitmore notes how exciting it is to see students realize the depth and scope of what they become capable of producing. “They have the skills,” he says. “Now they can log in on their own programs any time and put together their own shows.” WWMV-LP will debut and continue to feature the young media producers’ shows during Youth on Air, every Saturday and Sunday from 11am-12pm. Be sure to tune in!