Radio VM Victoriaville celebrates its 20th anniversary

Since 2002, the programming of Radio VM (Ville-Marie) has benefited from programs produced in Victoriaville. A nice addition for this different radio, focused on spirituality. To highlight the event and ensure the follow-up, a benefit concert is organized on October 30.

It is at 89.3 FM that we can hear this radio in Victoriaville. Martin Yelle was the first in the municipality to collaborate with this radio station. “He recorded his program on the computer, burned everything on CD and sent it by mail to Montreal”, explains Jocelyne St-Cyr who is the host of the program “Horizon jeunesse plus +”.

There was also the late Gérard Marier, who went directly to the studios of Radio Ville-Marie to record his program bearing the title of “Spirituality”. His contribution was well appreciated since he is still found today in the schedule, thanks to the 250 programs he hosted (under the technique of Martin Yelle). Martin for his part, in addition to his duties as a technician, has been at the helm of several programs, including “Couleurs & Mélodies”, “Regards de foi” and the last in 2019, “Horizon jeunesse”. The two men are the pillars of the Victoriaville antenna of this radio station.

It was in 2005 that Radio VM Victoriaville installed an antenna and equipment on Mount Arthabaska in order to broadcast in the region and surrounding areas.

A first official studio was set up in the presbytery of the Saints-Martyrs church at that time, then moved to the Emmaüs Center (rue Saint-Louis). Recently, it is in the premises of Ziléos that the studio has taken up residence. The organization also provides technical support in the operations of Radio VM.

Ms. St-Cyr explains that she found herself a radio host in 2019 because she wanted to continue the program previously hosted by Martin Yelle, which allows young people who are involved in their community to be heard and highlighted. “They talk about the values ​​that drive them. In addition, the show allows them to train in technique, works on their vocabulary and involves them in doing research,” she adds. An appreciated initiative that Radio VM Victoriaville is trying to replicate in other regions. Already, a few programs have been produced in Trois-Rivières and Sherbrooke should be added shortly. “We are going to share the time slot with them,” she wishes. Ms. St-Cyr finds it interesting to hear these young people on the radio who have the courage to share their commitment.

For her, this medium, radio, reaches a particular clientele with its content which, as its slogan says, “goes to the heart of the essentials”. It is thanks to a board of directors and other volunteers that this radio continues its operations in Victoriaville. However, maintaining and updating production and broadcasting equipment requires constantly rising costs. And since each region is autonomous and the radio receives no subsidy, in Victoriaville we decided to organize a fundraising campaign.

Work has already been carried out in order to ensure diffusion stability.

These have required significant investment and means must be found to meet future operating costs.

A benefit concert

This is how the team decided to organize a benefit concert on October 30 at 2 p.m. at the Sainte-Famille church in Victoriaville. It is the Trio à Quarte, composed of Claudel Callender, Annie Parent and Valérie Walker, who will then be featured. They will present a concert entitled “From Bach to Aznavour”, an opportunity to experience a musical journey ranging from classical music to great musicals, including opera, jazz and the most beautiful songs of the French-speaking repertoire.

An opportunity to experience a beautiful musical moment while supporting a team of dedicated volunteers and, of course, a different radio station. Tickets are $30 presale and $35 at the door. The organizers hope to welcome 250 spectators for this musical activity. Info and reservations: 819 758-8541 or 873 665-9650.