This June, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School’s radio station, WMTN-LP 103.1 will get a new sound. Under the leadership of SAS music teacher J.R. Ankney, the station is being re-energized with plans for original programming including curated music shows, news stories, call-in shows, and sports broadcasting. The relaunch is planned to coincide with the school’s Alumni Weekend, June 3-5, 2022, when alumni will be welcomed into the studio to record reminiscences of their time on the Mountain.

In preparation for the relaunch, the station’s broadcasting booth is being moved from the basement of Owen Student Union to the second floor of McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts. The move will provide opportunities for more tie-ins to the school’s recording studio and music programs. In the coming year, the school will also be offering several curricular opportunities linked to the station, including Radio Broadcasting and Production to introduce students to the skills and tools needed including news writing, interviewing skills, podcast production, and more. Students will also learn to operate radio equipment, mixers, boards, and microphones. The courses will be team taught by Ankney and SAS theatre teacher Chelsea Padro.

In addition to broadcasting to a 10-mile radius, FM 103.1, WMTN-LP, “The Mountain” is accessible via streaming. The station’s current programming provides solid gold hits programming in a non-commercial, public radio format. In preparation for the relaunch, Ankney put out a call for donations that resulted in more than 500 CDs being provided to the station.

“Our radio station is an enormously huge asset here on the mountain,” says Ankney. “And, with internet streaming, we can reach parents, alumni, prospective families, and friends all over the globe.”

WMTN-LP is the gift of Bud Walters, a 1959 graduate of the Sewanee Military Academy and a former SAS Trustee. Bud and his suppliers donate most of the station’s equipment and technical assistance. The station had its first broadcast on April 24, 2004. By helping to provide this opportunity to St. Andrew’s-Sewanee students, it is Bud’s hope to spark student interest in the broadcast field.

For more information, contact Station Manager J.R. Ankney at <jankney@sasweb.org>. Streaming can be accessed at <https://www.sasweb.org/about/n...;.