WNZR students take on Christian Music Broadcasters Convention
In September, a group of Mount Vernon Nazarene University students attended the Christian Music Broadcasters Convention in Orlando, Fla. The CMB conference, otherwise known as Momentum, educates both professionals and students on how to improve their craft and prepare themselves for what God has planned for their ministries.
For the past couple of years, WNZR Radio has attended the conference with several students. The group was led by WNZR Station Manager Marcy Rinehart. The students were juniors Daria Swisher, Lilly Buckley and Rachel Rinehart plus senior Trevor Moore.
Christian Music Broadcasters exists to encourage, engage and equip their members to impact their communities for Christ. Their vision statement is, “CMB’S 600 members are a community inspiring its 50 million listeners to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Buckley, Afternoon Drive co-host and production director at WNZR, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“This conference helps you learn from some of the top professionals in our field. They’re giving you information that you won’t get anywhere else, and that is applicable outside of our station, too. This is a great conference to let you know if this is what you want to do after you graduate,” said Buckley.
During the conference, the group had the chance to meet some very well-known Christian artists.
Momentum Mix allows CMB members to have conversations with Christian music singers. This allows members to hear the stories behind songs, talk candidly with the artists and relate to them on a personal level.
The conference featured sessions with professional speakers such as Dr. Kevin Leman (Christian psychologist), Alan Burns (media analyst), Shauna Neiquist (author) and Trudy Cathy White (president of Chick-Fil-A).
Daria Swisher, Morning Thing co-host, loved the air-check sessions in which the students participated.
“Air-checks are when we play a short section of one of our on-air shifts for a professional talent coach. It's just great to connect with other professionals in our industry. I liked the feedback I got because it helps me as I continue to be on the air here at WNZR and also for my future,” said Swisher.
The conference also had several break-out sessions with topics ranging from social media to finding your on-air voice. Breakout sessions help CMB members to think outside the box when it comes to working, managing and ministering to others through the outlet of Christian radio.
The students also participated in several Momentum networking lunches where they could talk with professionals, hand out business cards and receive advice for the future.
Marcy Rinehart believes this conference is very valuable for MVNU radio students.
“It offers many opportunities for students to connect with professionals for future internships and jobs. The conference speakers are providing valuable information to help Christian radio stations succeed and grow. I have seen doors open for numerous students as a result of our attendance to this conference.”
Flanked by band members of For King and Country Joel and Luke Smallbone are, left to right, Daria Swisher, Marcy Rinehart, Rachel Rinehart and Lilly Buckley.