MUSIC ANNOUNCER CLEARANCE

1. VOICE AUDITION: The first step in becoming a music announcer at FM 88 is to take a voice audition with the Chief Announcer, Gary Apple. The audition will consist of backselling records, reading live public service announcements and station promotions, reading the weather, time and etc. This audition will help you recognize and overcome any regionalisms you may have and will help you develop the conversational style that radio demands.
   
2. MASTER CLEARANCE: All potential music announcers must learn to operate the board. This step requires attendance at two training sessions given by the Operations Director, Jim Sylvester. You must also pass a practical exam using the board. This may require additional training sessions, depending on how well you understand the equipment and how quickly. You must sign up for these sessions in advance. All notices pertaining to classes and for sign-ups can be found on the bulletin board in the station.
   
3. MUSIC LIST: After being cleared to use Master, you will need to see Mark Haden about making a music list. This list should demonstrate a thorough knowledge of music and a musical flow between music types. See Mark for further information.
   
4. AUDITION TAPE: After completing the first three steps, you must complete and audition tape for the Production Director, Ivan Schwartz. This tape should be what you would do on the air, except that you need not tape the entire song, but just the beginnings, ends, (segues), and breaks. It should reflect the knowledge you've acquired and demonstrate the skills you have learned thus far in the audition process. At this point, you may or may not be eligible for an overnight shift.
   
5. LIVE AUDITION: This is basically the same thing as an audition tape, except that it is done live. These are done by appointment from Master A. Your audience is the senior staff. Completion and passage of this step will make you a full-fledged music announcer. Again, you will be prepared for this step by the time you reach it -- Do not panic now!!! Go for it, and good luck.

Just a reminder that it is important to complete the steps in the order outlined above, or your clearance may be delayed or jeopardized.

The air sound of WAER is as diverse as the spectrum of its music coupled with the events in news and sports. Yet, for practical broadcasting reasons and to create comfortable listening, WAER must be able to present itself to the listener as a single vehicle for its various programming. It is often the music announcer's job to create the continuity, which should exist during programs, as well as during the transitions between programs. The announcer should be able to present a uniform announcing style and smooth technical ability at all times, especially:

1. During regular breaks in programming and introductions to features
2. During the break when jocks change shifts
3. During the intros, outros, of news and sports
4. During the transition from regular programming to public affairs shows and vice-versa
5. During the intros and outros of special events
6. During an EBS alert
7. At carrier sign-off and sign-on

To produce a uniform air sound WAER has guidelines for its announcers and a clock music format, called the BOOK. WAER IS NOT A PLACE TO COME AND PLAY RECORDS FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FRIENDS. PLAY THEM FOR THE LISTENER. The guidelines here and in the book set up the minimum standards for announcing at WAER. Announcers are expected to KNOW AND FOLLOW THESE STANDARDS. REPEATED VIOLATIONS OF THESE ANNOUNCING GUIDELINES OR THE BOOK WILL LEAD TO A WARNING, THEN SUSPENSION, AND FINALLY, DECLEARANCE

ANNOUNCER'S GUIDELINES

A)  DURING REGULAR BREAKS IN PROGRAMMING AND TALK-UPS FOR FEATURES (Included here are procedures and tips which should be used as guidelines.)

1. Be conversational and be be yourself. Nothing sounds worse than you trying to be your favorite deejay.
   
2. Use complete thoughts and sentences.
   
3. Do not use slang, obscenities, or other bastardized forms of words. Don't fall into the habit of using the same phrases and cliches for every break. It really gets boring.
   
4. Think before you speak, then think again. If you haven't thought, don't open your mouth.
   
5. Make sure your speech is understandable. Not too fast, not too slow, not slurred, not sloppy.
   
6. Use a station identifier in every break. You don't have to say WAER in Syracuse--just let the people know who we are, FM-88, your alternative in central New York.
   
7. Never slander anyone or anything.
   
8. Do not make unqualified statements about music; great music speaks for itself.
   
9. Try to know something about the music you're playing, but be sure whatever you're saying is accurate.
   
10. Keep your weather up to date, especially the temperature, in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. Also, when doing weather, don't read the barometer, winds, etc. all the time; just read the forecast for the day and give the temperature. Sometimes even just the temperature for a quick break is fine.
    
11. BE VARIED IN YOUR BREAK PATTERNS--and in your talk. in short, don't be a boring jock.
    
12. Pre-read PSAs and STPs.
    
13. Read STPs and PSAs in a timely fashion, be sincere, and ad-lib. An STP doesn't have to be a cart or a reader. Just say who is coming on after you; Use your creativity.
    
14. Try to adjust the mood you are setting to contrast or conform with the time of day--keep special events in mind.

• The only structured part of a regular break is that, outside of a station identifier, always backannounce your songs first.
  
• Requests--use your head with requests. If someone asks for a song you know should not be heard on FM 88, don't play it. Ask them if they would like to hear something else or tell them that you won't play it, and explain why. If you've already played the band requested once, don't play it again.
  
• Music--New Releases. There should be at least one new release in every set of music, or at least every other set. Play them first or last, but don't bury them in the middle of sets. Never play two new releases in a row.
  
• Emphasis--Two an hour, following the top and bottom of the hour.
  
• Read the notes in combo and on the bulletin board each time you come in for a shift.
  
• Attend all meetings
  
• Be courteous to visitors and auditionees
  
• Be courteous on the telephone and always answer "FM 88" or "WAER"
  
• Listen to WAER and to other stations both at home and in Syracuse. You should know what they are playing.
  
• Remember you and the EOD are responsible for everyone who comes in the door. Be sure they are staffers or have a genuine reason for being here (use the intercom first before allowing people in)

B)  Special points about the break in your show where you hand off to the next Jock *when you say goodbye, always promo whomever or whatever is up next (WAER does not begin and end with one announcer)

• If you're not returning within a few days don't sit there and try to figure out the next time you are on the air.
  
• if you and the next jock wish to talk to each other on the air, go ahead, but use good judgement.

C)  News and sports casts

1. The standard way of introducing the news, and the one you are expected to follow is: "It's (time) and time for FM 88 news with (name of caster)"
   
2. Ditto for the outro the caster will say "I'm (name) for FM 88 sports/news and now back to (you) with the weather and more music."
   
3. You can happy talk, but don't push it
   
4. Always precheck the caster's carts before airing them
   
5. If there is news and sports you need at least one STP for in between

D)  When going from regular programming to a public affairs show and vice versa

1. Put a carted ID in between programs
   
2. Hit the show when it is scheduled
   
3. Try to wrap up your music show with music that will mix with what is coming up. What this means is your music must bend to meet the public affairs show. There should never be drastic changes in the air sound.

E)  Special Events intros and outros

1. They MUST be on time
2. Tell the listeners what is happening and where we are going (It will help the cues)

F)  What to do during an EBS alert or test

1. Call the EOD -- he is in charge

G)  At carrier sign-off and sign-on times

1. Call the EOD, he knows what to do -- but you should have a record cued and know what to say
   
2. Be sure to fill out the program logs correctly. If you don't know how, ask.

THE BOOK

1. The book tells the Jock what type of music is to be played at what time.
   
2. There are eight categories of music in it. They are:

• emphasis -- previously explained
• rock
• rhythm and blues
• jazz
• reggae
• blues/folk
• gospel
• Latin

a)  Your are free to play what you choose in between, as long as it follows the format. But, please use good sense -- you're looking for flow and good segues -- don't be afraid to explore and read the backs of album jackets. The student Music Director often writes on the LP jacket also.

b)  The book MUST be followed

c)  When the dot comes up you are not demanded to play it at that exact time, if you can work it in earlier or a little bit later, that is O.K., but work it in.

d)  The book stays in combo

e)  Look ahead to see what you're working towards, music-wise- R&B and reggae mix well in rock and jazz -- if you do it right. You have to think and plan.

f)  Following the book is part of the announcer's duty -- face it as an asset and challenge, not a hindrance

g)  A dot means 1 or 2, at the most 3 songs of that type. It doesn't mean none, and it doesn't mean 25. Pick songs that fit in. It might be a good idea to do a remake of a song and then do the original R&B hit.

3. It is understandable for a jock to have one or two favorite bands. But aside from new releases, there is NO REASON TO EVER hear the same bands over and over during a person's shows. The range of music is limitless; if you don't want to learn it you don't want to be an FM 88.jock.
   
4. ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS: WAER IS AN ALTERNATIVE. That means no top 40 hits, whether they are top 40 albums hits, top 40 R&B hits or whatever. Other stations are playing them to death...that is why we are not.

FINAL POINTS

1. PUT YOUR ALBUMS BACK IN THEIR CORRECT SPOTS. If you're too lazy to do this, and it is a real habit, sorry, Charlie, but you'll be told to take a walk.
   
2. DO NOT BRING YOUR RECORDS FROM HOME AND PLAY ON THE AIR WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE STUDENT MUSIC DIRECTOR. Repeated violations of this will necessitate suspension and then declearance.
   
3. Sorry for the repetition on this one but please VARY YOUR MUSIC. If you don't know enough music to get through four or five hours without playing the same band twice, you better get in the library and learn it, or you'll never get off overnights.
   
4. If you or any people here with you are ever caught taking records or equipment out of the station without the knowledge and approval of the student Music Director and the Program Director --WAER will press charges against you and ask you never to return.
   
5. There is a WAER policy concerning "controlled substances" THERE ARE NONE ALLOWED. Do it before or after you leave the station. Along these same lines there is to be no smoking in any WAER studio.

HAVE FUN AND CREATE

Last Modified October 14, 2005 Copyright © 1997-2001 Darron Networking All rights reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders. If you have any Questions or Comments, feel free to contact the Webmaster.