The Essence of Jazz: Conversations with Illinois Artists
“That’s how the creativity stays alive, … we all bring what we do best to the table,” says Vickie Capo, a central Illinois jazz musician interviewed in The Essence of Jazz: Conversations with Illinois Artists, a radio program produced by students at Urbana’s University (Uni) Laboratory High School (Fall 2003).
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WILL-AM 580 reporter Dave Dickey brings what he does best to the community by working with the students at Uni High to produce radio programs. “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to teach youth about something that I am passionate about,” says Dave.
“Some years ago, Barb Wysocki, head of social sciences at Uni, asked if WILL-AM would be interested in working with kids on oral history projects,” says Dan Simeone, radio station manager. “Barb’s intent was to add a real-world dimension to the students’ academic experience, but she needed technical expertise to make it work.
“I thought the project had the potential of creating interesting radio, as well as providing a way to connect with young people in a productive way” says Dan. “It seemed like a good partnership.”
Dan’s not sure exactly how many years the “some years ago” means, but he knows that for over 10 years, WILL-AM 580 and Uni High students have been involved in producing radio programs on topics as diverse as central Illinois Holocaust survivors, World War II veterans, immigrants in central Illinois, and African-American women.
The productions range in length from 30 minutes to an hour, and result from a yearlong collaboration between WILL staff, Uni High faculty, now including retiree Barb Wysocki’s replacement Jenny Yi, and the students.
“We go into the classroom and teach the students how to run the equipment,” says Dave Dickey, AM 580 reporter and executive producer of the Uni High projects for the last four years. ”We also teach students interview skills.”
Typically older Uni High students who have worked through the process become producers—making the final cuts and putting the programs together.
“When the students have that ‘aha!’ moment and understand what we’ve been trying to teach, it’s rejuvenating for me as a producer,” says Dave. “It keeps me young.”
