12 Nov 2013

BBC Radio Berkshire Broadcast: Behind the Scenes

    After winning house singing we were all elated until remembering that the prize was to speak on BBC Radio Berkshire the following Saturday morning. Although the promise of such an early start wasn’t as appealing, it was perhaps the thought of saying something ridiculous which was all the more daunting. Unfazed, however, we arrived promptly at BBC Radio Berkshire’s studio, (just outside Reading town centre) at 9.30am where we were ‘prepped’ by Mr. Alford and Mrs. Reed. It was suggested at this point by Mr. Alford that we may be asked to sing, however it seemed obvious to us that this would not be the case, as we believed they had a recording of us and would simply broadcast that - something which we had already come to terms with.
    After an anxious 30 minute wait, we were lead into the recording studio where we met Henry Kelly. It was here that our fears were affirmed as he pointed to the studio, next door, as he commented, ‘and that’s where you will be singing.’ Before we had the chance to run, Flo, Megan and I were all ushered into the first studio to answer some questions about the competition itself. Trying to be as casual as possible whilst knowing you are live and being listened to by a few thousand people was bad enough however it was only made worse by the abrupt calling we received from the studio next door who beckoned us to get ‘miked up’ for our debut. After what seemed like seconds, it was time to sing ‘On Top of the World’. Although it was terrifying we seemed to forget how many were listening and just sang it as if it was to each other and when we finished we got the big thumbs up from Mr. Alford in the studio next door.

    It was such a great feeling to have sung on live radio and it wasn’t until we listened to the recording on BBC iPlayer that it really sunk in! I know I can speak on behalf of Megan, Campion House Singing, when I say how immensely proud of the house we all were. We wouldn’t have had the opportunity without both their hard work and Mr. Alford’s and we are all looking forward to our next public appearance!


Contributed by Olivia Frankel

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