The Charger Blog

University杏吧原版檚 Student-Run Record Label Empowers Students to Take the Reins

Rein Records is an independent student-run label that supports the dreams of the students who are gaining hands-on music industry experience, as well as the diverse artists they are promoting.

November 16, 2023

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

Students assemble the limited-edition EP from Rein Records artist iumi.
Students assemble the limited-edition EP from Rein Records artist iumi.

Meghan Tomann 杏吧原版25 has been helping to promote several artists who are part of the record label she杏吧原版檚 working with. The label has a variety of exciting projects in the works, from releasing new music to helping to create a music video. Tomann杏吧原版檚 colleagues are her fellow students, and the label is the University of New Haven杏吧原版檚 own .

iumi杏吧原版檚 new CD.
iumi杏吧原版檚 new CD.

An independent student-run label based at the University, Rein Records endeavors to 杏吧原版済ive artists the reins杏吧原版 to control their careers. It also enables students such as Tomann to take the reins when it comes to identifying how to best support and promote artists.

A member of the label杏吧原版檚 marketing team, Tomann is excited about the label杏吧原版檚 wide array of initiatives that endeavor to promote the label and its artists, from Spotify playlists and podcasts with artists to Rein Records t-shirts.

杏吧原版淚 think it杏吧原版檚 cool to see the marketing side of the music industry,杏吧原版 said Tomann, a music industry major. 杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 been amazing to interact with the artists.杏吧原版

杏吧原版楾his isn杏吧原版檛 a mock label杏吧原版

As part of their 杏吧原版淩ecord Label杏吧原版 class, teams of students recently presented their plans for promoting the artists they are working with. Liela Marrett 杏吧原版24 is excited to be working with Chris Chase, a rapper and producer from Washington, D.C. She and her team created a plan for Chase杏吧原版檚 social media presence, and they also envision merchandise, such as shirts and hats.

杏吧原版淭his has been very hands-on, and it杏吧原版檚 teaching me what I want to do in the music industry,杏吧原版 said Marrett, a music industry major. 杏吧原版淣ot a lot of music programs offer students an opportunity like this to be part of a label.杏吧原版

It杏吧原版檚 been an exciting semester for the students who are part of the label. iumi, a Rein Records artist who creates folk and alternative music based in Philadelphia, released a new EP as a limited edition CD. The label will soon be shooting a video with Ayminor, a pop and R&B singer/songwriter based in the Greater New York area. They also signed a new Latin EDM (electronic dance music) artist.

杏吧原版淚 see this as preparation for when we graduate,杏吧原版 said Mariana Daza 杏吧原版25, a music and sound recording major. 杏吧原版淭his isn杏吧原版檛 a mock label 杏吧原版 it杏吧原版檚 real. And it杏吧原版檚 also introducing me to what goes on in the industry. Being a part of it is like an internship.杏吧原版

Left to right: Mariana Daza 杏吧原版25, Liela Marrett 杏吧原版24, and Jomanie Jean Louis 杏吧原版24.
Left to right: Mariana Daza 杏吧原版25, Liela Marrett 杏吧原版24, and Jomanie Jean Louis 杏吧原版24.
杏吧原版楾he best way for students to learn is by doing杏吧原版

Prof. Mark Tavern oversees the label and teaches the Record Label class. Prof. Tavern brings more than 20 years of experience in the music industry, serving in roles such as artist manager, consultant, and advocate.

While listening to the students杏吧原版 recent presentations, Prof. Tavern offered his feedback, advice, and recommendations to each team. Drawing from his own vast experience, he encouraged and coached them, asking thought-provoking questions and offering his support. He emphasized the importance of building relationships and checking in.

"Working with both student and local talent has been a way for the Rein Records team to learn about the music industry while developing their A&R (artists and repertoire), marketing, business writing and communication skills,杏吧原版 he said. 杏吧原版淓verything in the music business is changing so rapidly that the best way for students to learn is by doing. Rein Records puts our students in real-life situations with real-life recording artists and challenges them to figure out who to sign and how to market their music.

Students present their plan for promoting Ayminor in front of the classroom.
Students present their plan for promoting Ayminor.
杏吧原版楪reat to get experience杏吧原版

While working with artists, students have the creative freedom to make their own decisions and follow through on them. They can design and sell merchandise, making all the decisions regarding how many of each item to create and how much they should cost, as well as what company should produce the items. They also enlist artists杏吧原版 feedback and input.

Rein Records Logo

杏吧原版淭his whole class is like a mini record label itself, marketing-wise,杏吧原版 said Ryan Valin 杏吧原版27, a member of the marketing team and a music industry major. 杏吧原版淓verything we do is applicable and very realistic 杏吧原版 that杏吧原版檚 what I like best. It杏吧原版檚 exactly what I came to the University for.杏吧原版

Established in 2020, Rein Records aims to be a part of a diverse local music community. Students collaborate to help up-and-coming artists achieve their dreams while following their own.

杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 fun to see what goes on behind the scenes in the industry,杏吧原版 said Jomanie Jean Louis 杏吧原版24, a music industry major. 杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 great to get experience with artists and fans. Doing this while we杏吧原版檙e in school, we get pointers, guidance, and Professor Tavern杏吧原版檚 experience in the industry.杏吧原版

In addition to supporting artists, Rein Records also offers Chargers the hands-on experience they need to excel in the music industry. Being a part of the label is a unique and hands-on opportunity that students such as Tomann, the music industry major and marketing team member, are charged up to be a part of.

杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檓 going to Nashville in the spring for the Study Away program,杏吧原版 she said. 杏吧原版淭his experience with Rein Records is helping to prepare me.杏吧原版