PRODUCTION OF LA VOZ ALEGRE FROM START TO FINISH
Part II
Then comes the writing of the script. This does not happen in the one-hour program since is produced every day. We simply would not have the time to write the whole program up. On the other hand, we only produce 4 or 5 half-hour programs a month, so writing a script for each is doable.
I have learned that a well-written script is essential for a successful radio program. The script includes introductions, transitions, questions for guests, and closing remarks. It ensures that the program flows smoothly and covers all planned content. We have one excellent writer, Marta Vidal, who does all the “heavy lifting” doing the research and making sure every word of the program is scripted. Once she finishes writing, the scripts for the whole month are sent to me for review and then sent back to the team ready for the recording phase.
Recording is no doubt the core of the production process. The host and guests come together to record the program, following the script and planned segments. As professionals, they know it is essential to maintain a lively and engaging atmosphere, as the energy of the host and guests significantly impacts the program's success. We are blessed to have a talented and energetic group of hosts, including Adrian Torrez, Milagro García, Marta Vidal and Rosiclare Quiñonez.
Finally, comes the editing. This is a crucial step in refining the recorded content. The mastermind behind this critical step is Lisett Rodriguez, who edits the audio to remove any mistakes, long pauses, or unnecessary content. She also adds sound effects, music, and advertisements to enhance the program's quality.
Then the edited program comes back to me to check for any issues with audio quality, content coherence, or overall flow. Any necessary adjustments are made at this stage. Once this process is completed, the program is ready for broadcast. I will send the programs to my partner Rex Morgan who in turn will send it to Trans World Radio for broadcast at the scheduled time.
Producing a magazine-type radio program is a complex but rewarding process that requires creativity, dedication, and attention to detail. We acknowledge that and admit that we are “a work in process” that needs to continue to refine the art of Christian radio broadcasting. I request your prayers for us and our listeners. Soli Deo Gloria.
PRODUCTION OF LA VOZ ALEGRE
FROM START TO FINISH
Part I
Since its inception, "La Voz Alegre" has been dedicated to bringing dynamic and engaging content to its listeners. Our goal has always been to create a radio program that is not only informative but also entertaining, maintaining a balance that keeps our audience coming back for more. Even though our focus has always been sharing the saving message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to non-Christians, we make an effort not to produce an overly religious program.
A non-religious audience is characterized by its diversity, comprising individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. This demographic is often marked by critical thinking, skepticism, and a preference for secular viewpoints. These traits influence the type of content and the manner in which it is presented that will engage them effectively.
Producing such a program requires planning, coordination, and execution. This article will summarize the steps to the production process of "La Voz Alegre" (the 30 minutes version) from conception to broadcast. Our production team is based in Cuba, and one of our challenges have been limited communication and other hindrances related to their frequent blackouts. We try to meet as a group via WhatsApp at least once a week, but most of the communication is done through emails and text or audio messages on WhatsApp.
Based on our goals and purposes, we carry out brainstorming sessions to generate ideas for segments, topics, and guests. Planning also includes setting goals for what the program aims to achieve, such as educating listeners on specific topics (including biblical topics or series), entertaining with cultural insights and songs with a positive message, or simply decide which promotional jingles should be added to enhance the program and maintain listener engagement.
Once the theme and goals are established, we develop the segments that will make up each broadcast. The variety of segments is vital for keeping the content dynamic and engaging. Typical segments might include:
Interviews: Conversations with experts, or everyday individuals sharing unique stories.
Features: In-depth explorations of specific topics, such as cultural phenomena, scientific discoveries, or local history.
Music: Selected songs with a cheerful and positive message, and songs with a spiritual theme.
Commentary: Opinions and analyses from hosts or guest commentators.
For each segment, most of the time, research is essential. This involves gathering information, facts, and stories that will be presented during the program. Research can include reading articles, watching videos, conducting interviews, and accessing databases.
In June’s article, we’ll talk about the writing of the script, the recording, the editing, and the final approval for radio. It’s a lot of work to get quality programs onto the radio!
We also scheduled some brand-new programs beginning in April.
Family is Our Priority, by Leonardo Quintanilla. These are topics to benefit all families with insights on how to navigate the challenges presented by modern society. Leonardo is a family counselor and a minister in Nicaragua.
Biblical Teaching for Inner Healing, by Lis Milland. Dr. Milland is the author of many books and a conference speaker on topics related to mental health and Inner Healing. She has a PhD in counseling and has been a Missionary in several countries of Latin América.
Real Life, by José Castillo. Since Jesus came so that we may have life, and have it to the full, we strive to search in the teachings of Jesus how all of us can live that life. It’s a short presentation followed by an interview-like discussion.
The Bible in Sixty Seconds, presented by Timothy Archer. It’s a one-minute presentation of different bible-related topics. We are thankful to our brothers at the Herald of Truth for allowing us to use their valuable radio segments.
We are excited to share with our listeners these outstanding programs. We pray that they find themselves closer to God and His Son because of our broadcasts.
NEW PROGRAMS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER
Spring is my favorite season. Generally, the spring season is a time most people in the United States look forward to. The weather gets warmer, and most people get to enjoy outdoor activities. It’s a time of renewal and transformation in the natural world. It’s a time when plants and vegetation begin to grow and we get to see, once more, budding trees and blooming flowers. It is also time for us at La Voz Alegre radio ministry to start a new season of programming for both our half-hour and one-hour broadcasts.
We updated our sound tract for the opening and closing and for the different spots throughout the broadcast. We plan to continue updating every two years.
We are currently featuring in our daily broadcasts three series that would continue to air for the next few months, like Encounters with Jesus, written by Gayle Crowe, Hope in Conflict and The Joy of Peacemaking, written by Damir Kramaric, and Lamp to My Feet, written and recorded by Larry White.
February 2025
February 2025
MORE UPDATES FROM THE SPANISH
We just finished a partial makeover of both the 59-minute and the 29-minute programs with a slightly different style and the addition of some new voices. We decided to do this to stay fresh to deliver a more relevant product and I am assuming we will continue to evolve as we consider the feedback we receive from our listeners. We are actively seeking their opinion of the program and suggestions as to how we can better communicate our message. We want to help them transition from occasional to regular listeners.
We continue to have the same sections and plan to add more soon. Next month, God willing, I will mention the new programs that will be added for the spring and summer. Some of the current series will continue to run for some time as we still have many and at least two are currently being translated and produced.
We welcome Aldo Meji as one of our stringers for the Spanish. He will record for us series biblical messages of 5 and 10 minutes each beginning in March. Aldo is originally from Guatemala and he and his family work there in the mission field. He is a very passionate soul winner and a humble teacher. We look forward to hearing and using his biblical presentations in La Voz Alegre.
We finally received the news that our half-hour radio programs will be broadcast by Radio Ariguanabo, the state-sponsored radio station in San Antonio de los Baños in Cuba, beginning March 2025. It will air on a weekly basis free of charge. What a blessing! I am excited as to the potential for good this broadcast has. We will not only broadcast La Voz Alegre from outside Cuba, but also from the inside. They also communicated that they have submitted the program to the Artemisa Radio Station for consideration to be included in their programming. Radio Artemisa is the official station of the province (a Province is equivalent to a State in the USA).
Radio Artemisa has enough power to reach the western part of the island, which is comprised of six Provinces, including Havana. If Radio Artemisa would broadcast La Voz Alegre, we would be the first religious program aired in official stations in both San Antonio (the city) and Artemisa (the province). Please, pray that God would open more doors to reach the whole Island with the message of hope and salvation in Christ. God has done and is doing what once was considered impossible in Cuba. I am sure he has some big plans there. I can’t wait for His plans to unfold.
Soli Deo Gloria!
January 2025
Encouragement From Our Listeners
We are blessed to receive, on a regular basis, a word of encouragement from our listeners. But there are times listeners “go the extra mile” to let us know how much they appreciate and support our radio broadcasts. Such is the case with an audio message we received last year in our La Voz Alegre WhatsApp number. This message was from Colombia. Specifically, from Boyacá Department. I took the liberty to transcribe and translate the original content for the encouragement of those that support this ministry in different ways.
Hello, my dear friends and brothers in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Your friend and servant Orlando Maecha, director of Radio Supernatural Stereo, greets you.
We are located in Puerto Boyacá, a river city, located on the banks of the Rio Grande de la Magdalena, the most important river in Colombia. We send you blessings through this greeting, and thank you for such a prestigious program, La Voz Alegre. Starting August 12, we began to include this beautiful program in our programming grid at 12 noon, Colombia time.
We are pleased with this beautiful production that you make, and my wish is that you continue to prosper enormously, and that the message of the gospel expands to the entire world, because that is what our God has called us for. We are disseminators of this ministry of reconciliation. So, a huge hug and a great wish that God, our heavenly Father, prospers you in everything and anoint your voices for future productions.
A couple of days ago, we also received this message on our website from a listener that does not say from where he listens to our one-hour broadcasts (we are trying to get in touch with him to get information as to his location). His name is Cesar Rodriguez. This is what he wrote:
Dear friends. Really, when you listen to it, you feel joy, a joy that is not forced, but natural. I have listened to broadcasts in Spanish sporadically, on shortwave and sometimes on the web. It is very gratifying to hear and see how the word of God spreads over the radio waves and the internet.
About myself I can say that I am a journalist and radio producer, shortwave listener, editor and university professor. I would very much like to be able to produce programs for the station on topics that help the community, family and members face contemporary challenges. Many thanks for everything.
To read or listen to messages like the ones above produce great joy, but it also places upon our shoulders an immense responsibility. Our team and I feel compelled to produce and broadcast our programs with the best quality possible, and with much prayer, because the world is listening.
DECEMBER 2025: A MONTH OF BLESSINGS
December is a month characterized by family gatherings, celebrations and traditions.
I look forward to being with family, eating different types of food, singing carols, enjoying
the lights and being able to give gifts to children. It is also a time of hope and deep
reflection and gratitude. I know that Jesus is the reason for the season. Forget about dates
and celebrate the fact that God gave us the greatest gift, his one and only Son. It is because of Him that we have hope for now and for the future. This is the gift we share with the whole world all year long through radio and other means of communication.
The Spanish radio ministry has experienced significant growth in all aspects this year. Even amid challenges, the Lord has been faithful in providing guidance all the way through. He has blessed us beyond what we imagined. Even though we continue to hear from listeners in South America and the Caribbean, God has opened new ways to continue to expand our outreach.
We received an officially signed document from the Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba that certifies its approval of our program La Voz Alegre. Meaning that we have authorization from a local officer that represent the government of Cuba to record and broadcast our program in the Island. It was given because of our apolitical message and on the condition that we continue to remain politically neutral.
The document signed by Leticia Perdomo, Head of the Department of Communication and Religious Affairs of the Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba in San Antonio de los Banos, partially says the following:
“The department of religious affairs of the communist party in Cuba, in order to promote religious freedom and interreligious dialogue in our country, has analyzed the request for the production and transmission of the program La Voz Alegre and is pleased to communicate its approval.”
Not only that, but they also allowed us to use the studios of the government radio station, radio Ariguanabo, to record our program while we built our own studio. We are now producing the half hour version of our program from the government radio station, praise God!
Now for the better news, are you ready? In addition, the Director of Radio Ariguanabo has shown great interest in incorporating “La Voz Alegre” into its new programming schedule. The broadcast of our program on this radio station will be an unprecedented event, making us the first program with a religious theme to be broadcast by a Cuban government media outlet! These are things that only God can do! He deserves all the glory.
Yes, traditionally, December has been a month of blessings for me, for so many reasons. But this December, the Spanish radio ministry is also celebrating the goodness of the Lord. He has shown us His mighty hand throughout the years. But what just happened confirms, once again, that He is involved in what we do. We can freely share Christ through radio and videos. He has opened the door to new opportunities. I am excited for He has in store.
Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year to all.
