In September 2025, the powerup_radio travelled across Switzerland. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Swiss Association of Music Schools (VMS), the mobile radio studio made 30-day stops in 18 cantons. It broadcast live from various elementary and music schools.
The anniversary tour, a cooperation project with the VMS, was an acoustic tour of the Swiss educational landscape. Children and young people not only made music inside and outside the classroom, but also presented, produced and designed their own radio programme. The aim of the project was to strengthen pupils' media skills and make music accessible to a wide audience - while also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the association.
In canon between radio and school
It was not only the scale of the tour that was unusual, but also the collaboration between the schools. While the pupils from the various music schools gave musical performances, the children from the primary schools broadcast from the radio bus. Music, education and radio combined different instruments, age groups and formats, and
at the start of the tour in Malters there was a lively atmosphere around Eischachen primary school. Class 6a had recorded jingles, rehearsed presentations and designed flyers in advance. Class teacher Stefan Steiger reflected: "The pupils had written texts, researched and produced creative contributions - interdisciplinary learning that incorporated subjects such as German, NMG, design and music." For the children, however, it was more than just specialised learning, according to Steiger: "Projects like these are school for life."
Loud voices and instruments
The radio bus travelled on to Basel via several stops. On Kasernenplatz, the local music school organised an open-air concert together with the Hitproducer association - broadcast live by the radio bus. Music school director Kaspar commented on the scene: "A big stage in the open air, with a large audience - that gives the children responsibility. They have to make decisions and work as a team." Aaron (16) from the presentation team added: "We learnt to overcome stage fright, take responsibility and plan projects independently. That gives us self-confidence. "
Shortly afterwards in Knonauer Amt, the pupils from Wettswil primary school hosted the programmes. They planned contributions, conducted interviews and set the musical breaks. Gaja and Steffi, both 12 years old, recalled their excitement at the beginning of the programme: "We were nervous at first, but then it was super cool to broadcast our contributions live." An example of how children develop self-confidence through this experience.
(Musical) key to sustainable development
The experiences at the various locations made it clear that the anniversary tour combined music and media work and at the same time opened up valuable educational learning experiences. Children and young people expanded their skills in communication, self-organisation and teamwork, implemented creative ideas and learned to step out of their comfort zone. They were able to live out their musical passion on stage and at the same time try out how to deal with technology, planning and moderation.
Together with the Swiss Association of Music Schools (VMS), powerup_radio provided the framework for lively and sustainable learning. In addition, the pupils were able to acquire skills in critical media use as well as in creative, democratic and communicative processes. The pedagogical implementation of the radio projects is based on the methodological approaches of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD): participatory, action-, experience- and experience-orientated with the aim that the echo of the VMS tour will resonate for a long time to come.
All programmes can be listened to here:
