Mid-Cheshire College launches recording and production company Inclusive Records

“

A Further Education College is encouraging students to achieve their musical ambitions by launching the first college record label in Cheshire.

Mid Cheshire College, which is based in Hartford has set up Inclusive Records to give students a valuable insight into how the music industry operates and to give them opportunities to network with the industry’s finest.

Designed to develop, record and promote musical talent from within the college and the local area, the record and production company will involve many departments that help make a successful label, including Artiste and Repertoire (A&R) who search for and nurture talent, IT to service the website and a dedicated PR department.

“We have had a fantastic response from students and staff to the new label,” said head of arts Richard Hollywood, who conceived the idea.

“It will be the first major college record label in Cheshire and students and staff will be able to submit material which will be released on a range of digital media formats. We are also currently negotiating opportunities to have a presence on iTunes too,” he added.

The first promotional CD on Inclusive Records will be released in June following an official launch party and will include contributions from partners Leftwich County High School and Rudheath High School, both Northwich high schools.

The label’s brand image and logo was designed by Mid-Cheshire College graphic design student Chris Smallwood, who beat off competition to design the logo that becomes the label’s trade mark.

Former Mid-Cheshire College student Paul Jones, who is now studying a foundation degree in music and new media management at City College Manchester, is the weekly visiting industry mentor.

Paul, who also works as a successful artist manager, promoter and DJ, said: “It is amazing to be able to hand down advice to the students and to return to the college that gave me a break into a career into the music industry.”

This is the first part of a major investment in the arts at Mid-Cheshire College. From next month, a new arts building will begin to be constructed at Hartford which will house a “Creative Industries Academy” to help and support the delivery of the new Creative and Media Diploma for 14 to 19 year olds from September 2008.