NCWU Alumni Release Heartfelt Holiday Single


North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is proud to announce the release of a brand-new Christmas single created by talented alumni of its Music Production program. Just in time for the holiday season, graduates have come together for a collaborative rendition of the beloved Christmas classic, The First Noel.”

The project, produced under 301 North Records, features an impressive lineup of former members of NCWU’s performance ensemble Spectrum, including:

  • Joshua Strausser ’20
  • Will Plyler ’21
  • Justin Long ’21
  • Madison Barbour ’21
  • Jackson Nethercutt ’23
  • Colby Whaley ’23

The single was officially released on Friday, November 28th, and is now streaming on all major digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.

Tony Sawyer, Assistant Professor of Music Production and Director of 301 North Records, shared his excitement about the project: “It was wonderful to work in collaboration with our alumni on this musical project. It is my hope that we can have more such alumni collaborations in the near future.”

NCWU continues to celebrate the success of its graduates and the growth of its innovative Music Production program. This release showcases not only the skill and creativity fostered at Wesleyan, but also the lasting connections formed through its close-knit artistic community.

For more information about the Music Production program or 301 North Records, visit here.

Wesleyan Record Label Announces New Release


301 North Records, the official record label of North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU), is proud to announce the upcoming release of a new single by Raleigh-based band, Soul Chatter. Set to drop on July 22, this marks the third collaboration between the band and the University’s Music Production program, record label, and studio.

Located on campus, the studio continues to serve as a dynamic creative space for students pursuing degrees in Music Production. Under the leadership of Assistant Professor of Music Production and Director of 301 North Records Tony Sawyer, the studio blends academic instruction with hands-on, real-world experience in professional music production. For the Soul Chatter release, Sawyer took on the roles of assistant producer, mix/master engineer, and performed drums and bass guitar on the track.

301 North Records operates as part of the University’s B.A. in Music Production degree, offering students a unique opportunity to explore the business, creative, and technical aspects of the music production industry.

Music fans can follow the latest releases—including Soul Chatter’s new single—on Spotify and YouTube Music via the 301 North Records playlist.