Madison Edbom.

Madison Edbom likes to ride the airwaves. The responsibility that comes along with being an on-air personality appeals to the 14-year-old.

“I really like that fact that when people turn on the radio they want to hear what you have to say.”Madison Edbom likes to ride the airwaves. The responsibility that comes along with being an on-air personality appeals to the 14-year-old.

He is now considering a career in this field, having taken part in Phase 2’s Radio Broadcast Production project. 

Instructor Dan Vadeboncoeur says it can take students time to find their voice. “The first couple of classes they are a little shy. They’re getting used to the mics,” he says.

“Then they start to relax and have a lot of fun with it, and they get to know each other as well. It’s nice to have that chemistry.”

Together participants navigate their way through all the equipment that make a radio broadcast studio hum. They flex their vocal muscles while reporting news, sports, entertainment and weather—and work behind the scenes as soundboard operators.

“Pretty much every different aspect of radio that there is,” explains Dan. “I try to show them every possible career that I have knowledge of.”

They also take their turn at writing and producing commercials, promotions and contests. One student created a “mash up” of three LMFAO tunes and required listeners to identify which songs were played. Another asked listeners to call in with the name of a player mentioned in the Winnipeg Jets rock anthem to win free game tickets.

Dan encourages the students to pretend they’re listeners and create challenges they would deem fun and entertaining. They also write and produce their own 30-second ad for a business of their choice.

Using professional equipment, they record the spot, put music underneath and add sound effects. “Basically, they write and produce a commercial from scratch,” he says.

A highlight for Madison was being host of a music-themed radio show. During the broadcast he aired an ad for a fictional duct cleaning company in which he was required to alter a voice to make it sound like it was that of an elf, sitting in a vent.

“It added a nice touch,” he says.

The year wraps with a live broadcast on Red River College campus airwaves.