Over 430 young voices were raised in song recently as Bill Zechman, volunteer producer for WCPI Public Radio 91.3 FM, recorded Eastside Elementary School’s entire student body as the students performed two songs for broadcast on local radio.
The huge choir gave an enthusiastic rendition of “Jingle Bells,” appropriate for the Christmas season, and “Lean on Me,” which the group performed to great acclaim at the school’s Veterans Day program.
Under the direction of school nurse and accomplished singer Terri Bryan, who added a sweet voiced solo to “Lean on Me,” the group took several takes to get an unspoiled performance on digital media for Zechman, who acted as recording engineer.
Though “Jingle Bells” was a last-minute addition for airing during the Christmas season, Zechman says the group will receive much airplay next year.
“With the entire student body singing ‘Lean on Me,’ we are committed to maximum radio-active exposure of these beautiful young voices,” said Zechman. “Therefore, we will air their recording daily, at least during the first three months of 2012. The exact time in the broadcast schedule will be announced when it has been determined.” 
Zechman said as far as he is aware, this is the first time an entire student body has been recorded for local radio, but he hopes others will follow their musical cue.
“WCPI hopes all the Warren County schools will join in this project,” Zechman said. “We will be delighted to set up at each school — probably in the gymnasium as we did at Eastside — to record the whole student body or some smaller choral unit depending in the school’s needs and wishes. I will ask Betty Wood in the central office to circulate our invitation to the other campuses. Due to the holiday schedule, we may not be able to do all the sessions before the end of December, but there is no problem in booking the broadcast dates later in 2012. Ideally, we would have every Warren County school song airing every day.”
Zechman, who is also a School Board member, says WCPI is dedicated to providing this kind of programming and involving the local educational system.
“WCPI, as a community-based, public-service radio station, is all about building up the community,” Zechman said. “The most direct and powerful way to build the community is through education in local facilities. Therefore, WCPI will always want to be involved in local schools and will support them in every possible way.”