The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-01-24
VOICE" IS
: STUDIO
HOST
Station Official Shows How
important the Job Is and
It's Qualifications.

The following articles, Drittem
for The Times by an official of one
of the local brOddcGsting stations,
explains the many requirements of
an announcer in the modern
stItdiO-RGdiO Edition.
| It is the purpose of the writer
Of this article to post the radio
listeners Of the power behind the
throne, the radio announcer, to
outline his many duties in the
realm Of program brOadcasting,
to delineate his essential abilities,
and withal to present a graphic
picture Of his operations during
the progression Of a radio pro-
gram.
Announcer Kept Busy.
A common opinion held by the
radio listener is that the gentleman
under discussion. is one who sits
before n1icrophone, reading at in
tervals announcements duly pre-
pared and when once read serving
| to relieve the announcer of all
further responsibilities until such
time as the next feature occurs.
No appraisal could be more incOn-
sistent with the truth.
In the modern studio, there are
no less than two announcers, whose
full duty it is to conduct the pro.
gram in manner rejecting credit
on both performers and station.
While one 10 presenting a feature,
the other is generally holding con-
sultation with the next act SEIZED
uled, reviewing their program,
advising them Of studio department
and offering such suggestions as
may benefit the production.
This in itself claims a knowledge
Of values commensurate with that
OF q ChatauQua manager. Should
the feat be Of musical character,
the announcer undertakes to ascer-
tain the ability of the. performer to
execute the arrangement scheduled,
to offer such assistance as may i'm.
prove sequence Of said selections
artisticaEy and to dispel any nerv.
BUSINESS the artist holds for the
occasion. He likewise should pre-
pare whatever comment he feels
would add ito the understanding of
the recital.
Must Know the Speaker.
However. IL the feature consti.
tutes a speaker whether a political
dramatic, comic or constructive the
announcer must of necessity search
out the bad spots, acquaint hinself
OF the relative importance of the
parsonage and stand prenarad RI
make an intelligent introduction and
possible offer an abbreviated re-
sumo at the close.
preparatory to each presentation.
the mlcrophone must be placed in
correct relation to the broadcasted
SUBJECT. Consequently, the arrange
iNent or choral, orchestral or band
musicians demands a broad compre-
nenslon OF tone intensity, and with
respect TO the last two, the correla-
tlon OF instruments with reference
10 the strings, reeds and brasses
must De understood musically as
well as scientifically.
1t Is not enough to state that the
announcer should possess sufficient
aoaptabllty to pass over a variety
OF subjects and individuals in a
cursory manner. His roll at ali
times presents a tactful and pleas
Ing front, both in social conduct
and radio address. His position in
the studio is identical with that of
successful host, his every action
serving to render the guest more at
ease, although between militant
artists on one hand and large ag.
gregations on the other, his patience
is often sorely taxed. In possibly
no sphere is liberal education and
catholic appreciation more indis.
pensable than that of the announcer.