Skip to main content
Sign in

Independent Songwriting and Performance

Available: Fall

Program Description

As a songwriter/musician interested in creating, performing, producing, marketing and distributing your own music, this certificate will help you attain solid grounding in the aesthetic, technical, performance and business knowledge skills necessary to reach a successful presence in the marketplace. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned musician our program will focus on improving and honing your skills while building a portfolio of original work. Your studies will include lyric and songwriting, studio preparation, performance, vocal skills and musicianship, as well as music theory and practice. Special emphasis is placed on studio preparation, entrepreneurial skills and musicianship.

Our "hands on" curriculum is delivered by working professionals in the songwriting, publishing and performing arenas. Your learning takes place in a variety of settings and styles, from private lessons to traditional classrooms; you will explore partnered projects and technology-supported "virtual" collaborations. In your second semester you will be mentored through completion of a recording project that showcases your newly-polished talent and ability. Your final recording project will be evaluated by a panel of faculty members and will serve as your calling card for entrance into the music industry.

Our stellar facilities mirror the type and quality of equipment that professionals would find in the industry, including recording studios, related software and mobile technology.

Apply Online

Canadian Students

Campus

Duration

2 Semesters (8 Months)

Credential Awarded

Ontario College Certificate

Your Career

Take your passion for music and songwriting to the next level. Our Independent Songwriting and Performance program will build on your musicianship by improving and honing your skills to prepare you for the many opportunities that exist for artist/ entrepreneurs. Our graduates will be well positioned to begin careers performing, producing and distributing original music, and to take advantage of supplemental opportunities producing music for the advertising, commercial, and video game soundtrack media.

Related Careers

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

Program Learning Outcomes

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent with:
    • Grade 12 English: ENG4(U) or ENG4(C)
  • OR Mature Student Status (age 19 or older) with required course(s), their equivalent(s), or appropriate Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Certificate program credits (see Academic Upgrading).

Applicant Selection

  • Details of how to complete and submit your profile and your performance video will be mailed shortly after we receive your application.
  • Applicants to this program are selected based on the strength of the video and the profile.
  • Admission to this program is competitive. Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission.

Additional Requirements

  • Performance video
  • Applicant profile/questionnaire

Program Costs

Choose academic year:

Tuition – Domestic

$8,106

Tuition – International

$19,551

Book & Supply Costs

$1,300

Please note: All costs are approximate, may vary by campus and are subject to change at any time without notice. Parking, locker and some mandatory incidental fees are among the charges not included in the figures above.

Fee Details

Program Details

The Degree and Credit Transfer Office provides a number of services for students continuing their education at Seneca, and for graduating students considering degree transfer options.

Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at various post-secondary institutions. Please refer to the Degree Transfer Guide for more information.

Transfer Credit may be granted for courses deemed equivalent to courses at Seneca that have been completed at recognized postsecondary institutions. Additional information is available online.

Please take a few moments to view Important Academic Dates for your relevant term.

Please select the curriculum from the Academic Year in which you started (or will be starting) your studies. An Academic Year begins in September and ends in August of the following year.

Admissions

Need to know more about your application and/or the application process? Reach out to our admissions advisors for assistance.

Domestic
416.491.5050 ext. 22840 Admissions@senecacollege.ca
International
416.491.5050 ext. 22364 InternationalAdmissions@senecacollege.ca

Student Recruitment

Have questions about Seneca’s campuses, financial aid, student supports and more? Connect with one of our student recruiters for more information or to book a campus tour.

Domestic
416.491.4660
student.recruitment@senecacollege.ca
International
416.491.5050 ext. 22608
Seneca.International@senecacollege.ca
Additional Contacts
Financial Aid & Awards

Program Coordinator

Michael Smith 416.491.5050 ext. 33203 Michael.Smith@senecacollege.ca

Program Chair

Mark Jones 416.491.5050 ext. 33488 Mark.Jones@senecacollege.ca

Video

Turn your musical passion and skills into a vocation. Seneca’s independent musician certificates are the perfect preparation for life as an independent, working musician. Video

Why Choose Seneca?

Passionate, expert faculty from a range of professions

Real-world learning experiences through paid and non-paid work opportunities

Curriculums developed in collaboration with industry advisory committees

A variety of credentials offered from certificates, diplomas, degrees, and graduate certificates

Opportunities to pathway to higher level credentials at Seneca and other universities in our transfer partnership network