SCOPE Productions is the University of Iowa’s Student Commission on Programming Entertainment. SCOPE works to bring quality concerts and entertainment to the University of Iowa campus. Not only does SCOPE provide entertainment for students, but it also provides educational and professional development experiences for members. The organization is broken down into four different departments: marketing, production, finance, and talent buying, each a unique facet of the music business.

General Manager, Phil Monfils, has learned the entire concert production process ranging from the financial side of producing a concert to the promotion of shows through social media and public relations events.

Monfils plans on transferring these practices to his professional career post graduation. His ultimate goal is to build a career producing concerts at either a specific venue (or collection of venues owned by the same production company) or music festival.

"If it weren't for the experience I've built through SCOPE Productions, I wouldn’t have been prepared to take on any of these other projects." Monfils says, "Most organizations want to see that you’ve had some experience in the music industry before even considering you."

Student department collaboration within SCOPE has helped them produce great concerts for decades. In the past, SCOPE has hosted headliners Bob Dylan, John Mayer, The Roots, The Black Keys, Wilco, T-Pain, Lupe Fiasco, Mike Posner, Matt & Kim, and My Morning Jacket.

This semester, Kendrick Lamar and Mac Miller both visited the University of Iowa campus. "We had been following the progress of Kendrick Lamar since probably July or August." Monfils continues, "So, we booked him very shortly after the release of his major label debut album in November, confident that he would continue growing in relevancy and that people would turn out for the concert."

Not only has SCOPE built relationships for members, but also created connections to other student organizations and events in the Iowa City community. Each year, SCOPE collaborates with a slew of organizations, most notably Hawks Nest, KRUI, Riverfest, 10,000 Hours Show, Dance Marathon, and Mission Creek Festival.

In the future, SCOPE plans to host a concert in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Monfils notes, "Ever since the renovations were made to that venue, we have been dying to get a concert back in there. I feel like there is a good chance we can accomplish that this following school year."

SCOPE's goals will always be to bring quality entertainment to Iowa City, engage our students and the Iowa City community, and continue collaborating with student and community organizations.

For more information on SCOPE Productions, please visit their website.