OSWEGO, NY – On Jan. 25 at 7 p.m., “Buc Records” will be releasing new CDs at a premiere party at the Oswego Middle School Theatre.

Oswego Middle School eighth graders have been spending nearly the entire academic quarter producing their own music using state of the art sound technology.

Teacher Paula McKinney-Myers said, “We are in our second year of ‘Project Smart’ partnership with SUNY Oswego. Last year we did ‘Sound Stories’, but this year my eighth graders are forming record labels. Each class will be its own record label, but we are working under the blanket label of ‘Buc Records.’ “

Each class splits in half with half of the students forming bands that compose and record their own music while the other students organize marketing teams that work to create a public image for each band.

McKinney-Myers said, “Bands are promoted through the web, email and print media as well have having the marketing folks organize a bio, press releases, banners, flyers and anything else that is necessary.”

This year’s CD release party is set for Jan. 25 and is completely student run.

The OMS music teacher said, “Students will be creating music, invitations, advertisement, running the event and providing food for the reception that will follow.”

The students have been working with educators and students from SUNY Oswego.

During the early stages of the project they traveled to the college campus for a tour and assistance with their project.

Students now have a working knowledge of recording software, Pro Tools.

Visiting the classroom the determination of the students is quite evident, but all the hard work will be well worth it when the finished project is debuted on Jan. 25.

Groups such as “B Sharps,” “Tie Dyes” and 10 other bands are ready for their debut.

McKinney-Myers noted, “There is a tremendous mix of music. There is rhythm and blues, instrumental rap, vocal rap, industrial sounds and ‘dubstep’ among the various styles.”

The Oswego Middle School teacher realizes the tremendous opportunities this partnership brings.

She noted, “Once again, we are fortunate enough to have Dan Wood and his SUNY students working with us. Dan has engineered and mixed projects for Flava Flave, Sonic Youth, Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paula Abdul, Busta Rimes and other professional performers.”