“I believe this CD is the best one we’ve released so far” says Professor Shirley A. Washington of her Advanced Business of Music class 2007 compilation project. “We started the A&R process much earlier this time by getting the fall introductory Business of Music class involved in the A&R process. Therefore, some of the groups who were ultimately chosen had been screened prior to the Spring semester. And to think this just all started out as a class project in 2003, a way to give her students practical hands on experience of running a record label and applying what they learned in class about Administration, Marketing & Promotion, Manufacturing, Distribution and Sales.

What it has turned into though is way more than she could have hoped for. The Spring 2005’s class successfully released the first commercial CD, Po Records: ComPOlation Volume II, and this Spring 2007 our second release Po Records Presents: ComPOlation Volume IV is scheduled for release on April 25, 2007. They found the artists, chose the tracks, arranged the songs on the CD, manufactured it, prepared a marketing plan and arranged for distribution.

“Each year we try to take the label to the next level. We have had the unwavering support of the local community for our project and we hope to build upon that. Last year we had a few local record stores who agreed to take the album on consignment and we hope those relationships will continue. We plan to expand to other local mom and pop stores outside of Bergen County since a few of the bands on the CD are from Middlesex and Passaic counties. We are constantly upgrading our website and making sure our distribution plan includes the opportunity to purchase the CD as a digital download.Our goal is to make the name ‘Po Records well known for releasing quality music, using limited funds and promoting and marketing the product using a grassroots approach. Finally, since it is all about the music, we hope to continue to give unsigned musicians and students the opportunity to have their music heard by the general public.

Po Records Presents:ComPOlation Vol. IV contains 14 tracks from Ramapo student musicians and local bands. The CD showcases a diverse range of music including: Rock, Alternative Rock, Asian Fusion, R&B, and Punk and Emo. The Staff at ‘Po Records looks forward to your continuing support.

‘Po Records,
Ramapo College of New Jersey
School of Contemporary Arts
505 Ramapo Valley Road BC238,
Mahwah, New Jersey 07430
Telephone: (845) 641-2550
www.porecords.net

“‘Po Records” short for Ramapo Records, is dedicated to providing students with the opportunity to run an independent record label within a non-for-profit educational environment. Initially started as a class project in Spring 2003 in the Advanced Business of Music class it offers students the opportunity to get hands-on exposure to A&R, Administration, Promotion & Marketing, Manufacturing, Distribution and Sales. In addition, it provides artistic exposure to unknown or promising Ramapo College musicians, producers, faculty, songwriters, and local musicians.

Through the use of non-exclusive recording contracts and a diverse young staff, our goal is to distribute and promote high quality, commercially viable CD releases produced, marketed and distributed by the student body. As part of its commitment to provide practical experience to the students and supplement their classroom knowledge, it prides itself on running its operation with minimal funding and encourages a grassroots approach to promoting and marketing a recording project.

Ranked at Number One among Regional Public Comprehensive Colleges in the North by the US News and World Report 2007 edition of America’s Best Colleges and having Kiplingers’ Personal Finance name Ramapo College as “100 Best Values in Public Colleges” in 2007 are just two of the many accolades received by this prestigious suburban institution located on a 300-Acre campus at 505 Ramapo Valley Road in Mahwah, New Jersey.

Established in 1969 as a state-supported, co-educational, four-year College of Liberal Arts, sciences and professional studies the college was accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in 1975, and re-accredited in 1981,1990 and 2000. Ramapo boasts a student in enrollment of over 5,499 students including 311 graduate students and 166 international students.

The College has five schools: The School of American and International Studies, the Anisfield School of Business, the School of Contemporary Arts, the School of Social Science and Human Services, and the School of Theoretical and Applied Sciences. It offers the following degrees in a variety of disciplines Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science; Master of Arts and Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Chiropractic (joint degree program with NY Chiropractic College)

Ramapo has 187 full-time faculty, of which 95% have doctorate or terminal degrees. This faculty is supplemented by adjunct specialists and other visiting scholars.

For additional information about Ramapo College visit: www.ramapo.edu