Welcome to the APME Memphis 2025 conference. Here, you’ll be able to register for the conference and update your Sched profile. The conference schedule will be available in late spring 2025. At that time, you can view the schedule and select the presentations you’d like to attend. If you have any questions, please visit our conference website or contact us at conference@popularmusiceducation.org We look forward to coming together as a community June 4–7, 2025.
The one constant in the music industry is change. At the university level, a contemporary music industry program requires elements that provide visibility into these dynamics. As music, media, and technology continue to converge, training needs to go beyond preparing students for fields in traditional recorded music environments, but across the industry of the arts. At Monmouth University, we've updated our program to stay in lockstep with this dynamic business. One of those components is Blue Hawk Records, the student-run record label. Blue Hawk Records carries out the functions of a commercial recording company, with students holding all requisite roles and positions inherent in the corporate model. Students are able to capitalize on this specialized experience as they participate in talent scouting, performing and recording, artist management, development, and live music promotion, as well as artwork, packaging, marketing, sales and distribution in all channels. Consequently, students encounter and must scale the types of business decisions, challenges, and protocols inherent in the industry. Such a model requires a hands-on and active management team to form around the mission of producing an album, with all its challenges and benefits. Modes of critical thinking are engaged, as students are required to evaluate the full range of considerations, (both tactical and strategic) that when integrated, culminate in a viable production process, and yield a recording of which all can be proud, and that obtains worldwide visibility, sales, and streams. The student-run record label has released 28 albums since its inception in 2013. As an innovative part of the Music Industry degree program at Monmouth University, Blue Hawk Records offers an immersive and collaborative opportunity for students to obtain real-life experience in the various aspects of a recording business venture. This presentation will discuss the context and rationale for developing the student-run record label initiative, along with the methods, outcomes, and challenges of this flagship university program. Attendees will learn how schools might develop and benefit from establishing a similar program.
