“WOW .. this is amazing!” was one of the accolades overheard from a parent attending IPR’s Fall 2014 graduation ceremony.

This quarter IPR celebrated 26 graduates from its audio production and engineering, music and entertainment business, and sound design for visual media programs. Class valedictorian was Drake Nielsen, and ICON winners included Logan McLean, Michael Turner, and Gabrial Scriven.

As the guest speaker, Craig Grossman gave an inspiring speech, many graduates and parents alike mentioned that they loved what he had to say. Kevin’s Bowe’s sense of humor and MC prowess kept it all moving with Bowe’s usual cool. He also created a rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance” that we will continue to use at graduation. It was VERY cool having our graduates walk into Robinson Hall during this jazzy version of an old classic, and everyone seemed to really get into it!

The lab staff not only set up Robinson Hall and 1^st Floor Student commons but worked through the weekend to put it all back together for the start of classes today, doing a fantastic job as always. And the admissions team came in after it was all over and cleaned up.  The phrase “team work” is a bit over used these days, but without everyone pitching in and just doing what needed to be done, this would not have been the great experience for all who attended.

The next graduation ceremony is March 28, 2015–mark your calendars!

The post Congratulations 2014 Graduates! appeared first on IPR.

Written by Laura Theobald Benda

The year 2015 will be a great one for IPR — especially its live sound and show production program!

Campus Director Norbert Kreuzer says he is happy to announce that Peter Greenlund has joined the IPR team as the new live sound and show production program chair.

Peter has more than 25 years of experience in live sound engineering, production management, systems installation, and touring. He was the media director for Wooddale Church for 10 years, and has worked as tour sound technician for artists such as Prince and Phil Collins, as well as front of house engineer for The Commodores and Willie Nelson, just to name a few.

He is still active in the industry, working with national and international acts often on a weekly basis.

Not only does he know the industry inside and out, he also has an extensive background in education management. He has been the department head for the live sound department at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minnesota, since 2000.

One of many IPR’s reputations is that we have the best educational team who provide students an out-of-this-world, quality education, preparing them for jobs in the industry. With Peter on board, the live sound and show production program is ready for the next level!

The post IPR Welcomes New Live Sound Program Chair appeared first on IPR.

Photo by Jessica Hegland

IPR wishes to congratulate the graduating class of summer 2014! The graduation ceremony, held in Robinson Hall, was filled with friends and family of 18 graduates who were receiving their Associate of Applied Science degrees.

Special congratulations to Donnie Martin, who won the ICON winner for sound design and visual media, Nathan Schultz, IPR’s valedictorian, as well as Lindsey Kappa, IPR’s ICON award winner for audio production and engineering. The ICON award is presented quarterly to one student in each area of emphasis who shows exemplary passionate, talent and skill.

IPR awards degrees with areas of emphasis in audio production and engineering, sound design for visual media, live sound and show production, music and entertainment business, interactive media and graphic design, and digital video and media production.

Upon graduation, students possess the skills to create success in various areas of the industry.

Best of luck to all our graduates!

The post Congratulations IPR Summer 2014 Graduates! appeared first on IPR.

Contact: Naomi McDonald, Dir. of Communications
Email: nmcdonald@globeuniversity.edu
Phone: 651-332-8269
Mobile: 651-785-4171  

WINNER OF “RISING ROCKERS” BATTLE OF THE BANDS TO RECEIVE STUDIO TIME
AT THE INSTITUTE OF PRODUCTION AND RECORDING
One grand prize winner will get eight hours with IPR producer 

MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 23, 2014) – The Institute of Production and Recording (IPR), 93X and the Pourhouse invite all local bands to enter the 93X “Rising Rockers” competition. The winning band will receive the opportunity to open for an upcoming 93X show, a $1,000 gift card to the Pourhouse and eight hours of studio time with a producer from IPR.

“The Twin Cities is a great community for up-and-coming musicians,” says Norbert Kreuzer, campus director for IPR. “We are all for supporting local bands and providing them with opportunities to reach new audiences.”

Bands are encouraged to submit a video of their best song to 93X by the Sept. 25, 2014 deadline. Online voting will take place Sept. 29 – Oct. 8, and 16 qualifying bands will be chosen to perform on Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Oct. 26 or Nov. 3 at the Pourhouse. The top band each night will compete in the finals on Nov. 9 for the title of “93X Rising Rockers.”

As part of the grand prize, IPR will provide eight hours of studio time with a producer and state-of-the-art equipment at its recording facilities located on campus in downtown Minneapolis. The college offers degrees in audio production and engineering, live sound and show production, music and entertainment business, sound design for visual media, digital video and media production, and interactive media and graphic design.

Visit www.ipr.edu to learn more.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF PRODUCTION AND RECORDING

The Institute of Production and Recording (IPR) is part of a Minnesota-based, family-managed network of career colleges and universities. The schools prepare students for successful careers in a wide range of high-demand professions. Through its We Care mission, the Colleges integrate career-focused education with applied-learning to expose students to real-world working environments. The Colleges offer undergraduate, diploma and graduate degree programs in career fields including business and accounting, health sciences, legal sciences, technology, creative media and applied arts. More than 30 programs are available online. For more information, visit www.ipr.edu.

###

The post Winner of "Rising Rockers" Battle of the Bands to Receive Studio Time at the Institute of Production and Recording appeared first on IPR.

Continued growth in the programs offered at IPR has led to plans to increase the opportunities offered by the non-profit record label. IPR has recently started offering programs in Live Sound and Show Production, Interactive Media and Graphic Design, and Digital Video and Media Production.

Student Run Records board member, Mitch Hare, says the pending name change to Sudden Media and expansion of their projects would work to broaden the scope to allow more students and programs to be included. Sudden Media would promote multimedia production, facilitating the production of film, graphic design, and live sound shows, as well as record releases. Students would gain experience in production as well as artist management, marketing and promotion.

Sudden Media will not be tied to any singular academic program, allowing all the students at IPR to potentially benefit from participating. The idea is to further strengthen the ties between IPR and the community by broadening the potential services offered in other areas of our creative industry.

IPR offers associate degree programs in Audio Production and Engineering, Live Sound and Show Production, Music and Entertainment Business, Sound Design for Visual Media, Interactive Media and Graphic Design and Digital Video and Media Production.

The post IPR Student Run Record Label Grows and Plans to Rebrand as Sudden Media appeared first on IPR.

Digital Video Program Chair Trey Wodele

In the Digital Video & Media Production program, students will learn skills to create professional video and digital productions, being trained in narrative, commercial and corporate production. Coursework includes learning to light, shoot and edit quality video; develop stories and storyboards; create professional motion graphics and grow as a responsible and well-rounded professional.

“Our production-based degree is really what sets us apart,” says program chair Trey Wodele. “While other programs are focusing on the art of filmmaking, we are preparing students for actual jobs on the set of a film.”

Career opportunities for digital video graduates include positions as association producers, production managers, stage managers, directors of photography, camera operators and directors.

“The process of creating a film, a commercial or a television show is so huge — there are so many people involved in the production that there is a place for everyone,” Wodele says. “We see students lean toward the parts of a production that they feel most comfortable with, and in that way find a place for themselves.”

Graph Design Program Chair Nicole Nelson

Just as exciting is IPR’s new Interactive Media & Graphic Design program. Program chair Nicole Nelson says the Interactive Media program is for “visual problem solvers,” people who love art, design, websites, brands, marketing and photography.

Throughout this program, students will learn skills to design for print and web.  They’ll also study and experience hands-on projects using elements of typography, style sheets, color, page layout, vector software, websites and more.

With these skills, plus a dose of professionalism and career planning, graduates with an IPR Interactive Media & Graphic Design degree will be prepared for careers as graphic designers, graphic artists, production artists, web designers, marketing coordinators and more.

“There are so many different types of businesses that hire graphic and web designers,” Nelson says. “There are big and small companies, ‘mom and pop’ shops, printing businesses, advertising agencies, law and public relations firms and marketing firms — to name a few.”

Exciting new changes are happening at IPR — and more are yet to come!

The post IPR Unveils New Programs in Graphic Design and Digital Video appeared first on IPR.

If you have a passion for Music, Entertainment and multimedia, here are seven great reasons to check out IPR:

1.  Faculty with Gold and Platinum records, Grammys^TM, Emmys^TM and more

IPR boasts 50 instructors that are all currently working in the field – several of whom are “high-profile” teachers: Grammy winners/nominees, Platinum/Gold record recipients, Clio and Cannes award recipients, Certified “Expert” level instructors and/or other nationally recognized/published experts in their field. Between these high-profile instructors, they have over 150 Gold, Platinum and Grammy-award winning records to their credit. Our faculty also includes multiple AVID Certified Instructors who are specialists in Pro Tools, as well as many more instructors with a wide variety of expertise in the entertainment industry.

IPR’s experienced, award-winning teachers can teach you how to be a professional by learning from their experiences and successes. Our curriculum is reviewed quarterly and carefully crafted by IPR professionals with a long list of credentials of working with some of the most popular artists of our time.

2. Hands-on learning in labs and studios from day 1

IPR students have the opportunity to work on our equipment from day one – both inside and outside the classroom environment. IPR has 7 recording studios and over 120 computer workstations that serve as classrooms and training areas. Students also have the chance to work on their own personal projects and/or record their own music (unlike many other recording schools), and there are no additional hourly rates or rental fees.

Students are exposed to a wide variety of cutting-edge software at IPR. Whether you’re mixing a song, doing sound effects for a movie, crafting CD cover art, or shooting and editing a music video, IPR students get their hands on the gear to get the experience they need.

3. 8:1 student-teacher ratio in studio classes

Students get personal attention from instructors with Gold and Platinum records, Grammys ^TM, Emmys ^TM and more in our professional studios. Our mentoring philosophy provides for plenty of hands-on guidance, and small class sizes ensure that students get the knowledge they need.

4. Generous open lab and studio time 24/7

With 24/7 access to all this equipment – for 18 to 24 months – it gives students the opportunity to experiment, practice, create, produce, develop their own artistic style, and simply get good. That’s what IPR is all about – to help get the experience you need to get hired and move up in your career.

5. Certified training in Avid Pro Tools, Apple Logic Pro, Ableton Live

IPR offers certifications for a variety of the most commonly-used software programs and hardware products in the music and entertainment arts industry.

While students get exposed to most major software used in the multimedia industry, IPR offers certified training for those that want  specialized credentials and expertise. IPR was actually the first institution in the world to be an Ableton Live Certified Training Center. We also offer multiple certification levels in AVID Pro Tools, Apple Logic Pro, and Microsoft Office.

6. Continuous Job Placement Assistance for graduates

IPR is one of the few multimedia schools in the country that offers Job Placement assistance. Now does that mean that we can “guarantee” a job? Of course not – but what it does guarantee is that IPR is going to be there to assist you – whether you’re looking for a job or to start your own business – we’ll stand behind you.

Graduates always have access to the Career Services department, where you can connect to the Career Services website to find paying job and internship leads all over the country and around the world. We offer help with your job search, resume, job interview skills, and you can utilize our entertainment industry contacts and connections.

7. Student run record label

IPR’s own student-run record label, Sudden Media, is a modern record label and media company that is run and managed by IPR Students and mentored by an IPR Faculty member. There are real artists, real contracts, real content to put online, make sales, secure copyright, design merchandise and logos, create music videos, and more.

If your dream is to own your own record label, getting involved in the IPR label is a valuable and priceless experience. Where else do you find that?

The Next Step

There’s a lot more to consider when choosing a school, but these are all topics that are vital in our opinions. It’s all about employability – and we’re confident that IPR can help you get the variety of skills that you need to be marketable and employable.

If you have the passion and dedication for getting into a career in Multimedia, then IPR can help you get the knowledge and experience needed for getting the jobs you’ve been dreaming about.

Call your IPR Admissions Representative at 866-477-4840 now to arrange a personal interview to find out more about your goals, and see if IPR could be a good fit for you.

The post 7 Reasons to Check Out IPR appeared first on IPR.

We’ve been there and done the research to come up with these great Minneapolis neighborhoods to recommend to our students looking for a place to live.

1. Downtown is within walking distance of the IPR campus. It also is a hotspot for music venues and restaurants, and boasts the theatre district.
2. Loring Park is near the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and is home to a number of walking and bike paths.
3. The University of Minnesota covers a large area in Minneapolis, is only a few miles from IPR and caters to student life.
4. St. Anthony is just across the river from IPR and has lots to do in the summer months with restaurant patios and outdoor music.
5. Uptown is just south of Loring Park and offers restaurants, shopping and a great nightlife as well as the Chain of Lakes.
6. The Hiawatha Corridor is gaining popularity because of the Light Rail Line. While more laid back, the train makes access to Downtown quick and convenient.

Check out this link for a map and more information about each of these neighborhoods.

Things to Do

Living in Minneapolis gives you easy access to the entire Metro area. Metro Transit offers both bus and light rail service. Discount passes are available for students. Take the time to explore both Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Don’t forget to bring your bike. Minneapolis has been named a top city for biking by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Music 

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are known for their local music scene. First Avenue was made famous by Prince and is considered a cornerstone of the Midwest music scene. Check out the movie Purple Rain to get in the vibe.

The Turf Club/Clown Lounge is a landmark in St. Paul and the Triple Rock Social Club is a mainstay of the West Bank. Check out the rest of our list of music venues.

Food

We all need to eat and Minneapolis and St. Paul offer a bounty of options for every taste and budget. Check these out:

• Restaurants
• Food Trucks
• Farmer’s markets
• Minnesota State Fair food

Twin Cities Trails

Minneapolis and St. Paul both offer walking, hiking and biking trails for all skill levels. Check out these options.

• The Grand Rounds of Minneapolis
• River Parkway in St. Paul and Minneapolis
• Dakota Rail Trail
• Gateway State Trail
• The Midtown Greenway

Nature Areas in Minneapolis and St. Paul

Get away from the concrete jungle on occasion. It isn’t far.

• Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary
• Eastman Nature Center
• Harriet Alexander Nature Center
• Dodge Nature Center
• Maplewood Nature Center

Parks

The Metro area boasts 51 parks and park reserves with more than 300 miles of interconnected trails.

• Minnehaha Park
• Theodore Wirth
• Mill Ruins Park
• Three Rivers Park

Lakes

Right in the city

• Calhoun
• Harriet
• Lake of the Isles
• Cedar Lake

More options to consider

• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
• Northeast River District
• Waterpower Park
• Como Zoo and Conservatory

Minneapolis has something for everyone. Find your favorite places to go and things to do.

The post Music, Food and Living in Minneapolis appeared first on IPR.

1.   Important Deadlines

There wouldn’t be anything worse than missing an important deadline and putting a halt to the start of your college career. Be sure to look at IPR’s deadlines to know exactly when you can submit your applications. An admissions representative can also provide that information.

Oftentimes the earlier you apply the better for admissions, so apply as soon as you’re ready. IPR sends acceptance letters to those who have met the entrance requirements. Your FAFSA should also be filled out as early as possible after January 1^st. The sooner you file, the more likely you are to get the most financial help.

2.   Course Loads

Being recognized as a full-time student at IPR means taking a minimum of 16 credits per term. Generally, the more credits, the more work and time you have to put into the quarter. Take enough to be rigorous and complete your degree in a reasonable timeframe, but acknowledge that you will be spending time to complete assignment for all those courses, in addition to readings and exams.

Keep up with your syllabus; it’s the ultimate guide to your courses throughout the semester. College involves a lot of independence which means that you have to stay on top of things for your classes. Instructors will hold you responsible for due dates, so keep your syllabus handy!

A syllabus typically covers everything from attendance policies to grading scales to the term schedule of the course including due dates. Start the term off right by staying on top of your school work. Getting behind will only make your experience more and more stressful as your coursework begins to pile up.

Do yourself a huge favor. Buy a planner, or download an app and use it!

3.   To Purchase or Not to Purchase

Textbooks take a toll on your wallet and that is a fact. Once you get your syllabus, you can look through the required readings and see what resources will be necessary for purchase. IPR utilizes eResources in the coursework. This provides access to eBooks and other resources used within the course curriculum. IPad’s® are a required tool for an IPR’s student education. There is a scholarship available for a full-time students’ iPad®. Information on this scholarship is available from the admissions and financial aid department.

When it comes to software, for general education courses the basics like Microsoft Office are needed to complete assignments. Industry software, which can be hard on a students’ budget, is available for student use on campus in our labs and studios. We recommend learning on the provided resources before making an investment in the software. That way you’ll know which of them works best for you and the type of projects you’ll want to do.

4.   Don’t Fear New Places and New Faces

The transition to college can be a scary one. Embrace it! New experiences shape us as people. Even before a student starts at IPR, they are provided an opportunity to get to know other future students through our Facebook groups. Students are invited to join a group that consists of other students enrolled to start the very same quarter. This is a great opportunity to find out who else is attending your college, what interests you share, and perhaps even find a roommate. At IPR we value the sense of community and this is another way we’ve found to promote our culture.

Be sure to sit next to someone in your first class and introduce yourself. There is unlimited opportunities your first couple days of classes to meet a ton of new people. This means new contacts and new friendships which is what life is all about. Soak up the change and your new surroundings.

Make a solid first impression; you will be spending the next couple months, if not more, with these fellow students. Don’t forget that you’re not the only one with these feelings. There is at least one other person in the same position as you, if not many more.

5.   Resources

Grab a map! If you feel lost in your new surroundings, that’s okay. You’ll get the swing of it before you know it. Take an extra few minutes your first day to familiarize yourself with where you’re going.

The faculty and staff at your institution are at your disposal, so take advantage of this resource. They will help you get your courses on track so you complete all the requirements for graduation in the most logical order. More often than not, they know a lot about your area of study and can help you get a better understanding, too.

Your instructors are the best resource around. These people have degrees and more knowledge in your field than any textbook or internet source. They have hands-on, real-world experience that will benefit you beyond any assigned reading, and they are there to help.

Use your instructor’s office hours; they have them each week for a reason.

6.   Get Involved

Get your social life rolling outside of class by getting involved on campus. This will help you meet new faces and expand your social circle while also filling up your calendar. Start networking with other students, collaborate with each other on projects, and attend local event. The more people you know, the more opportunities that come knocking on your door. So start networking now! Get out there, and get involved. Be seen.

*Apple, the Apple logo, iPad, Mac, MacBook, and MacBook Air are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iBookstore is a service mark of Apple Inc. Programs may vary by campus.

The post 6 Things to Know Before You Start College appeared first on IPR.

Are you ready?

Electronic applications and social media have made it faster and easier to find and apply for jobs, but you still have to do the work of:

1. Planning – Deciding which jobs fit your career path.
2. Tools – Preparing your resume, cover letter and other tools for the application process.
3. Research – Accessing job boards and other social media channels to get your name out.
4. Networking – Getting your name out there to the right people.

If you’re not quite sure how to get started, the career services department at IPR has these tips for your job search.

1.  Devise a Strategy – Research the hiring process in your chosen field to find which jobs are the best for new graduates and how to use the various channels to find opportunities.

2.  Build an Online Profile – Your online profile is an important channel in your job search.  An online profile such as LinkedIn makes is easy to:

• Upload resumes
• List skills and experience
• Search for jobs on job boards
• Find positions using keyword searches
• See related jobs to the skills you’ve posted

3.  Create an Effective Resume – Your resume is an essential part of the job search process.  The purpose of that resume is to get an interview.  The average amount of time it takes an employer to look at a resume is 30 seconds or less, so it’s crucial that your resume is brief, attracts attention, creates interest and describes your accomplishments.

4.  Master the Cover Letter – The old adage, “You only have one chance to make a first impression,” applies perfectly to cover letters. You should craft a new cover letter for each job you apply for.

• Avoid overuse of the word “I”
• Use a professional business letter format
• Address the letter to the appropriate individual or department
• Keep a record of letters you sent and any responses you received
• Ask someone with good writing skills to proof your letter

One of the most important pieces of advice that you will learn immediately is to always double check your letter for spelling and grammar errors.

5.  Get Comfortable with the Interview Process – When you know what to expect from the interview process, you’ll be more comfortable sitting down with hiring managers and human resource personnel. Practice interviewing with friends, family or the career services professionals at IPR.

6.  Find the Best References – References come in three categories: personal, academic and employment. They are the exclamation point that communicates you are a responsible, qualified candidate.

7.  Learn the Art of Thank You Letters – Want to stand out from the crowd of job applicants? There is nothing like a handwritten thank you letter to show that you appreciated the hiring person’s time and that you are eager for the opportunity to join their team.

Ultimately, no one can promise when or what job you’ll find. But the better prepared you are, the better chance you’ll give yourself. IPR offers career placement assistance to all of our students and graduates.

The post 7 Tips for Your Job Search appeared first on IPR.