At IPR we train students for technical careers in media arts including audio production, audio engineering, sound design and music business related fields.

These short video vignettes will highlight three current degree programs with Program Chairs Steve Hodge (APE – Audio Production and Engineering), Eric Trelstad (MEB – Music and Entertainment Business), and Jeff DesLauriers (SDVM – Sound Design for Visual Media).

Videos will also feature footage of other IPR Instructors working closely with students. In a recent weekend video shoot, Instructor’s Walter Chancellor Junior, Mary Jane Alm, and Scott “Scooter” Nelson volunteered their time along with several current students and graduates, all part of the IPR family. Thank you all for your participation.

lft to rt: IPR Students Christopher Weeks and Andy Springer with Bella Ruse

Audio Production 282: This week Kevin Bowe and class were working with Minneapolis based duo Bella Ruse.

Impressively skilled, Kay Gillete (vocals), Joseph Barker (piano and guitar), and Alex Young (Drums, percussion) performed all basic tracks together live. Overdubs forthcoming, Bella Ruse used no click track and evidenced focus on song as art: a treat in today’s world of studio trickery.

lft to rt: Kay Gillette discusses vocal performance with Producer Kevin Bowe

Vocalist Kay Gillete describes Bella Ruse as “indie folk pop”. The band was hard at work on what Gillete called a “short French album” (3-4 songs); they plan to release this one on vinyl.

What makes the album French? Vocals. Turns out Gillete sings as flawlessly in French as she does in English. I’m looking forward to the final result.

lft to rt: Kay Gillette, Alex Young, and Joseph Barker

Many of you know Paul Bolen as an IPR Pro Tools Instructor, but did you also know he is now the proud owner of a new recording facility in downtown Minneapolis? An IPR faculty member since 2007, Paul has been searching a long time to find studio space that meets his expectations.

AGM Studios is located in the Savoie Building @ 126 North 3^rd Street, Suite B10.

Special thanks go out to all interns (IPR students and alumni) who have made the opening of AGM Studios a possibility this quickly; In only a little over a month, AGM is ready for use.  As a thank you for all the help, Paul has decided to offer a special discounted rate to all IPR students, alumni, faculty and staff.

AGM Studios’ grand opening will take place Monday, January 30^th from 4-10pm.  YOU ARE ALL INVITED!

IPR's Kevin Bowe interviews Audio Production Legend Peter Asher

Audio production Instructor Kevin Bowe arranged for another IPR first: a visit from legendary Grammy-winning producer, performer, artist manager, and record executive Peter Asher. Often known for his work with such diverse artists as James Taylor, Cher, Linda Ronstadt and 10,000 Maniacs Mr. Asher was in town for two nights @ Minneapolis’ famed Dakota Jazz Club and agreed to a meeting with IPR students.

Peter’s visit to IPR, hosted by Kevin Bowe, took place to a packed house in Robinson Hall @ 11:30 AM on Tuesday earlier this week. Asher’s visit was reminiscent of IPR’s DIY 360 series in that it followed a talk show format with career highlights spanning Asher’s career from the 60’s all the way to the present day. Asher delighted the crowd with stories about discovering James Taylor and signing him to Apple Records, friendships with The Beatles, running the art gallery where John Lennon and Yoko Ono met, producing for Linda Ronstadt, Cher, and 10,000 Maniacs amongst many others.

Peter Asher greets IPR's Dean of Faculty, Dr. Madeleine Hengel and other guests

As this is a once-in-a-lifetime event, IPR made a student appreciation 20 ticket buy out for students to win by name draw for Tuesday night’s Asher gig at the Dakota.

IPR is very grateful that Mr. Asher took the time to visit; he is always welcome here.

The Euphonix System 5 MC

Our audio production facilities often require Pro Tools updates to keep IPR’s gear current, and I recently interrupted a studio install that’s a pretty big deal. Studio 8 is a little torn up at the moment, but we’re pumped to see the results…

Matthew Koehne and Jeff Deslauriers working the install.

By the time classes resume January 9^th, IPR’s Matthew Koehne and Sound Design for Visual Media Chair Jeff Deslauriers will have a brand new, fully functional Euphonix System 5 MC fitted in IPR’s Studio 8.

Welcome to the latest and greatest in audio production technology! Jeff is quite impressed with the feature set.

Instructor Chad Helmonds looks on as Jeff Deslauriers explains the new board.

According to IPR Lab Coordinator Matthew Koehne, “Pro Tools Lab 2 will be getting five of the Euphonix MC Pro’s.  This is the mini version of the studio 8 board.  Pro Tools Lab 2 will not be up and fully functional until the middle or end of this upcoming winter quarter.” Even so, Pro Tools training continues as usual on dozens of workstations facility wide.

What does this mean for current IPR students? More exposure to more gear, and, as a result, more industry knowledge. If you’re going to find work in the music business, it pays to have as diverse a skillset as possible.

Seated lft to rt: Lance Sabin, Sue Ferkingstad, J.R. Hunte (standing)

The Institute of Production and Recording’s second floor is filled with new students here for the winter orientation. Spirits are high, and lines are long as eager new starts wait to finish last minute Admissions requirements. To pass the time in line, a beat-boxer and free style vocalist put together a memorable performance preview for fellow student bystanders (right outside this blogger’s office). As is typically the case, this new crop of IPR talent brings a high level of creativity to the table, and we can’t wait to see where they will take
the industry!

IPR President Lance Sabin, Director of Admissions, Sue Ferkingstad, and Director of Financial Aid, J.R. Hunte, take time at every orientation to meet with parents and encourage them to tell us how the IPR team has done throughout the enrollment process. We always look forward to serving IPR families as we prepare to offer our quality best to the industry’s up and coming talent.

Woody Woodman and Nels Cline

As if it wasn’t cool enough that Kevin Bowe is writing with his friend Paul Westerberg (The Replacements fame), I just learned that Nels Cline, Wilco guitarist, threw down a solo for the Bowe/Westerberg track “Everybody Lies”. According to Kevin, Nels came to visit MasterMix with their mutual friend Woody Woodman (“luthier to the stars and inventor of the “Mastery Bridge”, a high end replacement bridge for Fender Jazzmaster guitars all over the world”). It’s a good thing that Kevin and Woody are friends… Kevin’s students should be taking notes about music business networking while tweaking nobs. If you’re good at audio production and engineering, you still need to understand how the entertainment business works.

“Everybody Lies” will be a featured track on Kevin’s upcoming album. Surprise! It’s a good song (duh). After listening through a rough mix only two times this morning I still have the melody lodged in my mind’s ear.

Nels Cline, a guest at IPR: I love this place!

Though audio production is a skill that’s both natural and acquired; it can take years to master. So it’s not every day a Grammy winning songwriter/ producer has time to offer an unknown singing group. But, when IPR Instructor Kevin Bowe learned about non-profit The A-List, he saw a chance for applied learning; IPR students could help others while putting their audio production chops to the test, “I think it’s a cool opportunity for our students to realize that they are already far enough down the road to provide help and inspiration for kids who are just starting out in music.”

The A-List singing group “One of Many” with Kevin Bowe’s AP 282 Class

The A-list was born out of the desire to help teach youth to become entrepreneurs through practical application. This organization is structured so that the youth decide what, and how to bring entrepreneurial ideas to fruition. “One of Many”, an A-List singing group, was created, choreographed, and marketed by A-List youth from the ground up. In essence this group of teens is learning a DIY approach to the music business.

A-List Managers Jeanne McMahon, and Scott Kelly, contacted IPR because “One of Many” had formed with the intention of releasing a holiday CD. Scott was hoping IPR could donate some studio time to help them record their project. What they landed was world class  Master Mix recording studio, the audio production knowledge of an industry proven producer, and the help of some of IPR’s most experienced students.

Like his instructor, audio production student Guy Tarrents feels helping “One of Many” record their holiday project is a gauge of how far his IPR education has brought him, “When I first came to IPR, I didn’t know much that first quarter and now I have a lot to offer these guys.”

Because of Kevin Bowe, and his Audio Production 282 class, IPR welcomes The A-List as a new community partner.

“One of Many” will hold a CD release party at The A-list Tuesday, December 13th, from 7-9 pm. 7652 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443. Call for details: 763-566-4545.

 Conversation Piece

Todd Burrell / Keys, Vocals / Work History: Has performed and toured with:Alexander O’Neil (2002-2004), Recorded on Prince’s CD “Emancipation” (1996) NPGRecords. Has also performed toured with The Steeles, Anne Nesby, Best Kept Secret,Curbfeelers, TKO & High and Mighty. Todd performed with Conversation Piece for 3years as House Band for Jazzmine’s Night Club), and was graced on stage by artistssuch as Prince, Musique, & Larry Graham. Maceo Parker there at Jazzmine’s Nightclub.

Walter Chancellor / Saxophones, Vocals / Work History: Has performed withvarious local and national groups in the Twin Cities music scene such as:Prince, The Steeles, Chaka Khan, Bobby Lyle, Musique, Larry Graham, Louis Johnson, Maceo Parker, TKO, Best Kept Secret, Debbie Duncan, Thomasina Petrus. Walter performed with Conversation Piece for 3 years as House Band for Jazzmine’s Night Club), and was graced on stage by artists such as Prince, Musique, & Larry Graham. Maceo Parker there at Jazzmine’s Nightclub.

Through his own production company founded in 1993, SAX U UP MUSIC COMPANY & UPTOWN PRODUCTIONS, Walter provides production, songwriting, and session work for local record companies, artists, corporate establishments, and non-profits. Walter also is an Instructor and teaches Desktop & Audio Production at The Institute of Production and Recording in Minneapolis. And is Program Director & Instructior for the Ideawerks after school programs.

Chance Howard / Bass & Bass Keys, Vocals / Work History: Has performed with The Time (1995-2004, recorded & toured with Prince. Candy Dulfer, Solo, Karen White, countless amount of recording credits. Chance performed with Conversation Piece for 3 years as House Band for Jazzmine’s Night Club), and was graced on stage by artists such as Prince, Musique, & Larry Graham. Maceo Parker there at Jazzmine’s Nightclub.

Kirk Johnson / Drums, Vocals / Work History: Has performed and recorded with Prince (1990-2004), has recorded & produced several tracks on the CD “Emancipation” NPG Records, El Debarge, HBO, Chaka Khan (1990 – 1999) (The CD “Come to My House” 1998 ) NPG Records, The Kaj’ Orchestra, (TKO) (1994-1998) Kitchen Records, Co-Produced Walter Chancellor’s Solo CD Release “Saxophone Man” (1998) Kitchen Records, Kirk toured with ”Georgia” a very well-known Italian pop star throughout Italy and Europe. Kirk performed with Conversation Piece for 3 years as House Band for Jazzmine’s Night Club, and was graced on stage by artists such as Prince, Musique, & Larry Graham. Maceo Parker there at Jazzmine’s Nightclub.

George Scott / Guitars / Work History: Solo Guitarist, self produced Solo Release “Power Of Seven”, Has performed with Prince, Musique, Maxx Band, Mod-Squad Band & Soul Tight Committee George performed with Conversation Piece for 3 years as House Band for Jazzmine’s Night Club), and was graced on stage by artists such as Prince, Musique, & Larry Graham. Maceo Parker there at Jazzmine’s Nightclub.

For Bookings contact: Walter chancellor Jr., Phone: 612.998.1122 Email: waltzplace@me.com

Brittany Stewart

Brittany Stewart will be visiting the following high schools this week:

Wednesay, December 14th - Moundsview High School, 10 AM

Thursday, December 15th - Irondale High School, 10 AM

Sammy Johnson

Sammy Johnson will be visiting the Following high schools this week:

Wednesay, December 14th – Columbia Heights High School, 1 PM

Thursday, December 15th - Washburn High School, 10:30 AM

If your school isn’t listed, talk with your counselor about scheduling an invite. We’d love to meet with you.