Carols by Candlelight on CRN 2018

This Christmas Eve stations can be part of a broadcast supporting children who are blind or have low vision and their families.

Carols by Candlelight is the much loved annual Christmas event and Vision Australia’s largest fundraiser. 

Available to stations for the first time on the Community Radio Network, the annual audio described version of this major concert event is streamed online and broadcast live across the Vision Australia Radio Network.

What is audio description?

Audio description offers people who are blind or have low vision an understanding of what is happening visually within a theatre, television, film, DVD, museum, exhibition or other arts related productions. It is an additional narration that succinctly paints an image of transitions, movements, gestures, props, settings, costumes and scenery woven between the dialogues.

Alongside the audio described version of the concert, there will also be two x 30 minute Carols by Candlelight Specials playing ahead of the concert. These special programs will highlight what audio description is and why it is so important, the history of the event itself, the team behind the event plus interviews with performers, fans of the event and the young children and their families who this event supports.

Broadcasting live on CRN-2, Monday 24 December 2018:

Prerecorded Previews available:

About the Previews

Chris Thompson shines a light on the history of the Vision Australia Radio Carols by Candlelight event, now in its 82nd year. Preview this year's even supporting blind and low-vision children whilst entertaining families Australia-wide this Christmas eve.

Part 1 looks back at the history of the event. Reflect on where it all began, hear from VA’s audio description manager Michael Ward on the service offered during the broadcast this year, learn why Vision Australia volunteer Steven Cavell has volunteered at the event for 11 years now. Also hear from Carols event coordinator Clementine Binks.

Part 2 focuses on the 2018 event. The mother of Parker, one of Vision Australia's young clients, mum Amy Thorne shares her story. Dedicated carols fan Hala Austin shares why she’s attended the event each year since she was a toddler and performer Silvie Paladino explains why she’s again supporting this year’s event

Update - audio promos

Download audio promos to use in the lead-up to the broadcast here

For CRN Subscribers:

• Playing on CRN-2, VAST Channel 631 from 19:00 AEDT, 24 December 2018
• Prerecorded specials distributing in Extras 1, 12 and 19 December
• For more information on the event, visit the Vision Australia website
• Let CBAA know if your station is taking the broadcast
• For access contact CBAA on 02 9310 2999 or write to [email protected]

Not a CRN subscriber, but want to find out more about getting content like this for your station? Read more here.