VU student record label Potential Unlimited is a finalist in the US-based Independent Music awards.
This is the sixth year in a row that a CD produced by the label has made the finals; winners will be announced midyear.
In 2011 the VU label won world’s best CD produced by a campus record label. It was the first non-US group to take out the award.
This year, Potential Unlimited is the only non-US label or campus finalist in the Compilations category.
The CD, Potential Unlimited Six, was produced by Bachelor of Business (Music Industry) students as part of their major assignment for the semester and is a compilation of tracks by local talent.
Course co-ordinator Adrian Marchesani says the Independent Awards are very competitive so students work hard each year to deliver a high-quality product. In the process they gain hands-on experience in everything involved in releasing a new CD.
“They source talent, get licenses, create and implement a marketing plan, and organise the launch and distribution,” Marchesani says. “Students also get opportunities to interact directly with the music industry. The label is recognised by the industry.
“The Bachelor of Business (Music Industry) is the only course of its kind in Australia. It has core business units, but its real focus is on music; from music industry to music performance. It caters to students with a real interest in music.”
Managing Director of Mushroom Music Publishing, Ian James, was instrumental in creating VU’s Bachelor of Business (Music Industry) course. Since it started in 1998, his company has provided internships for many of the course’s students.
James has been with the major Australian label for 27 years and became Adjunct Professor at VU’s College of Business in January 2014.
Find out more about the Bachelor of Business (Music Industry)
