Student-Run Record Label Launches in Fort Wayne
The University of Saint Francis is bringing together its Media Entrepreneurship Training in the Arts and Music Technology programs to create a student-run music label. The partnership marks a first for the school: an interdisciplinary venture owned by USF and run by students. The label’s business foundations will be set this semester and the first album will be produced and promoted in the spring.
Music Department Chair Miles Fulwider tells Inside INdiana Business "we’re going a little rogue" with the launch. "The impetus of all of this is actually at the request of students. We had a number of students — on in particular — started the chant, so to speak, but he was very interested in having a student-run record label. And for me, there was a fair amount of pushback," he said. "We can talk about those kinds of things in another course — just as far as how does a record label operate, and agreements, and licensing, and all those kinds of things — but in this case, really wanting to build something was where that became really interesting to me." Fulwider says student-run record labels are not uncommon for music, music technology and music production and recording programs. What the USF label will provide, he says, is hands-on opportunity to show students "how we got to where we are" in the music business.
The label will begin with one album for a group or artist this year and Fulwider says "the sky’s the limit" with how it will ultimately turn out in the future. He says the plan is to give students as much control and involvement as possible, so the final scale and look of the label is in their hands.
Artist submissions are being accepted through the end of October with goals including the start of the recording process in January and a record drop event set for late in the school year. You can connect to more about the label by clicking here.
Music Department Chair Miles Fulwider tells Inside INdiana Business “we’re going a little rogue” with the launch.