Simon Brown
Marketing of Recorded Music class (MUI 4430), self-titled Ilium Records, is offering students an opportunity to display their songwriting talents and build a working portfolio of their work.
Ilium Records has launched “Call For Songs,” an invitation for students to submit their work for a chance of it being used by Troy University’s music ensemble POPulus.
Carley Jo Broyles, an adjunct instructor of music industry, is heading the operation as the instructor for the class.
“Every year, we [Ilium Records] release POPulus albums,” Broyles said. “We get students on campus to send in their songs.
“We pick the songs that we like and have arrangers and composers work on them. We work alongside the songwriters to get their songs on the POPulus album.”
Call For Songs is not only open to music industry students, but to any Troy student who would like to submit a song.
“I think Call For Songs is a really great opportunity for students who want to get involved,” said Ava Symone, a graduate assistant from Freeport, Bahamas. “It’s a great chance to get practical experience of what it means to write a song.
“It also gives you the opportunity to work and collaborate with other people. Being able to work with others is a skill that is essential to making it in any industry.”
Students can enter their work into Call For Songs for free. If selected, students receive a fully professionally recorded demo that can be used in their portfolio.
Even if becoming a songwriter is not the student’s end career goal, submitting to Call For Songs can still be beneficial.
“Before I started the music industry program as a career, I didn’t really classify myself as a musician,” Broyles said. “I didn’t think that I fit into this world.
“But then, once I jumped in at the opportunity, I realized that this was the right world for me.”
Submitting original work may seem daunting to some. Riley Shaffer, a music industry senior from Andalusia, Alabama, songwriter and the lead POPulus guitarist has a different take.
“Being selected is really affirming,” Shaffer said. “You get the gratification that your hard work has paid off and that other people like it.”
Those interested in Call For Songs can email their lyric sheets and demos to musicindustry@troy.edu. The deadline to submit is Sept. 29.
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