WXYC teaches student DJs

For those who are passionate about radio, working at 3 a.m. on a Saturday is a small price to pay for bringing music to the masses.

Early weekend mornings are a welcome challenge for many newly hired DJs, who are required to work shifts from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. or 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. at UNC's student radio station, WXYC.

"We get stuck with the graveyard shift," DJ Peter Pendergrass said. "Your first semester you kind of have to pay your dues."

This fall, 17 DJs were added to the radio's staff from more than 80 applicants. New DJs are hired each semester.

Management at WXYC, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary Saturday with a party at Local 506, selects the new DJs through interest meetings and interviews.

"The most important quality we look for is an interest in learning about music," Station Manager Lauren Brenner said. "Experience isn't as important as a willingness to learn."

Once hired, new DJs are paired with more experienced ones during a 14-week training process. Assignments for the DJs in training range from researching a new style of music to recording a shift for analysis with their mentor.

"The goal of each assignment is expanding musical taste and increasing fluency in on-air announcement," Brenner said.

But while the training process is uniform for everyone, different DJs have varying motivations for coming to WXYC.

Pendergrass decided to apply after spending the summer working for UNC-Greensboro's radio station, WUAG.

"It's really cool to work here after coming from a different radio station," he said. "WXYC is a very professional radio station. It's very well run."

Senior Katie O'Neil was hired by WXYC in fall 2005 but said she knew she wanted to work as a DJ while still in high school.

"Even before I picked a college, I knew college radio was something I wanted to be involved in," she said.

First-semester DJ Elliot Montpellier, said WXYC wants every new DJ to learn and explore.

"Before, I would have considered myself into the indie-rock scene," he said. "Now I've learned about world music, blues. I've learned a lot about unknown stuff like strange compilations and people who'll never be famous."

And with a catalogue of more than 60,000 albums, chances are WXYC has the ability to play something to satisfy anyone's musical tastes.

WXYC also provides DJs with the opportunity learn how to use the station's equipment and technology.

"I grew up with my dad's turntable at home, but learning how to run the equipment while performing a show has been really cool," Montpellier said.

After training for a semester, the new DJs can remain on staff indefinitely, even after they graduate.

"Once you're hired, you're a DJ for life," Montpellier said.

O'Neil said she plans to take advantage of this policy.

"As long as I'm in town, this is what I want to keep doing," she said. "I can't imagine being in the area and not working here."

Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.

ATTEND THE PARTY
Time: 9 p.m. Saturday
Location: Local 506
Info: www.wxyc.org