Monmouth University’s student run record label, Blue Hawk Records, is preparing for student auditions for their 21st compilation album, which will be held on Sept. 21 at 7:00 p.m. in Woods Theater.
Students looking to be featured on the album must perform a live audition in front of a panel of people who will be deciding who and what gets on the album. Auditioners can sing as well as bring instruments to accompany them or can play some background music on their phone, which can be hooked up to a speaker if they wish to have backing tracks.
Joe Rapolla, Specialist Professor, Chair of the Music and Theatre Department and Advisor of Blue Hawk Records, stated that student bands are allowed to bring a small set up a small drum kit and guitar or bass) if they’d like to audition. Any student who has already recorded a song can also appeal to have their song mastered onto the record. If a student cannot be there to perform in person, they may give a digital submission.
Students who are featured on this album will go through the full recording experience—including having social media promotions, an album debut, and recording sessions at Lakehouse Recording Studios in Asbury Park. According to Lakehouse’s website, the facility has two world-class recording studios as well as producers, engineers, musicians, songwriters and a plethora of gear for every style, genre, and level of experience.
Blue Hawk Records President Abby Garcia said, “It’s really fun. It’s a great experience for getting to know others and it’s a very professional environment.” Students not only get to record their songs, but also conduct songwriting sessions and meet others who have the same interests as them.
The Blue Hawk Records team stressed that the only way to get on the album is to nail the audition process, and that it’s important to be unique and make a good impression.
Garcia said that she wants everyone who is planning to audition to, “put yourself out there and just be yourself and have fun.”
This album will contain songs that are all written, recorded, and produced by both the students who participate in Blue Hawk Records and the students in the classes Record Label Strategies and Advanced Record Label Strategies.
Over the next couple of weeks, the album will be promoted on social media and featured on Blue Hawk Talk, Monmouth University’s own radio show which was hosted by musician and member of Blue Hawk Records, Elena Worton.
