Charting New Heights
Blue Hawk Records marks milestone with 25th studio album, “Signature Edition.”
Monmouth’s student-run record label, Blue Hawk Records, has been shaping the next generation of music industry leaders for over a decade.
Founded by Joe Rapolla ’90M, chair of the Department of Music and Theatre Arts and director of the Music Industry Program, the label bridges academia and industry by immersing students in the hands-on process of creating an album from start to finish each semester.
Open to students of all majors, the program provides real-world experience in every facet of running a modern music label, from discovering talent and recording tracks to branding artists and marketing and distributing the final product. Central to this experience is the Record Label Strategies class, where students take on key industry roles and responsibilities within the label.
Recognized as a cornerstone of Monmouth’s Music Industry Program, Blue Hawk Records has helped the University secure a spot on Billboard’s Top Music Business Schools list since 2020. The label serves as both a springboard for emerging artists and a training ground for students pursuing careers in artist management, production, event coordination, and beyond.
Alumni have gone on to work at companies such as Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, TikTok, and Live Nation, while others have launched their own music-related ventures.
Last fall, the label celebrated its 25th studio album—a milestone underscoring its lasting impact on students and the music industry and solidifying its role as both a training ground and a launchpad for future music professionals.
Mastering Mix Tapes
From surf rock to synth pop, here’s a step-by-step guide to the making of each album.
1. Talent Sourcing
The process kicks off with auditions open to all Monmouth students. Teams evaluate submissions, assess songs, and select the artists who will be featured on the record.
2. A&R (Artist & Repertoire)
Selected artists are paired with an A&R team, which oversees pre-production, schedules studio time, coordinates photoshoots, and provides creative guidance to help shape the artist’s vision.
3. Production & Studio Sessions
Partnering with the advanced production class, students record tracks at Lakehouse Recording Studios in Asbury Park, New Jersey, co-owned by Nancy Leidersdorff ’97. This professional-grade facility ensures high-quality recordings and prepares students for real-world industry standards.
4. Marketing & Promotion
Students craft a comprehensive release strategy, collaborating with other campus groups, including WMCX and HawkTV. They organize photoshoots, create sizzle reels, write press releases, and execute campaigns on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
5. Manufacturing & Distribution
Once tracks are mastered, students handle distribution logistics: uploading metadata and artwork to digital platforms and sending materials to physical manufacturer In the Clouds Records, owned and operated by alumnus Daniel Marter ’07, for vinyl production.
6. Live Event Planning
The semester ends with a release event either on campus or at local venues such as the iconic Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Students manage everything—stage design, lighting, sound, marketing, and scripting—culminating in a showcase of their semester-long efforts.
Symphony of Success
Meet a sampling of Blue Hawk Records alumni creating waves in the music business.
Maggie Nuse ’13 — Director of Business & Legal Affairs at Sony Music Entertainment.
Bryan Haring — Keyboard player for the internationally acclaimed band, The Gaslight Anthem.
Alexa Mazurkiewicz Haring ’14 — Head of Production for Live Nation Entertainment.
Janae Louis Jacques ’23 — Assistant, TV Music & Casting at DreamWorks Animation.
Justin Ume ’24 — Label & Artist Relations Associate at Vydia