Seneca College Independent Music Production program now even more Independent/Unconventional as part of Canadian first to highlight independent music

Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology Press Release

March 9, 2005 - As if going to college to learn how to be a successful musician wasn't exciting enough, the Independent Music Production (IMP) program at Seneca College has just become even more cutting edge.

Seneca College is the first Canadian post-secondary institution to take part in a first-of-its-kind initiative in Canada to highlight independent music and get it heard by the public in a revolutionary way.

Independent/Unconventional is a groundbreaking province-wide retail and promotional campaign designed to spotlight independent musicians and labels in Ontario. Launched by the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA), in association with the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) and delivered in partnership with participating retailers, the initiative marks the first time conventional retail, online retail, music download websites and CD-burning kiosks (a new technology in the Canadian market), have been brought together to promote Ontario's independent music.

The Seneca@York campus will be one of the five powered by Puretracks CD-burning kiosk locations in Ontario. Customers will be able to choose their preferred songs and burn a custom CD onsite in minutes. Songs from Seneca's soon-to-be-released CD from the premiere IMP program will be featured on all kiosks and on Puretracks.com for the duration of the campaign.

"Seneca is proud to be part of a Canadian first highlighting independent recording artists," says Michael Smith, IMP Program Co-ordinator. "We're thrilled to be part of such a groundbreaking initiative and for our IMP students to have the opportunity to get their music heard and downloaded through both the kiosks and Puretracks.com."

Seneca College is the largest college in Canada with more than 100,000 full- and part-time students on campuses across the Greater Toronto Area. The Seneca Independent Music Production (IMP) program is an intensive eight-month certificate program that provides aspiring young musicians with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of home studio recording, the business of the music industry and artist development. The IMP program emphasizes the skills necessary for success as an independent musician. Whether it's marketing, bookkeeping, recording, booking or performing, the IMP program helps students grow and improve as musicians with a strong, hands-on curriculum delivered by working professionals in the recording and performing arts. The IMP program is helping young musicians from all musical genres realize their dream of making a living doing what they love.