Students can apply for the competition online at ballstatemusic.com/songwriting
All applications are due by March 10.
The application to the Spring Shout Songwriting Competition is now open to all Ball State students ages 18 to 27. This is the first competition of its kind organized by the School of Music.
The winner will get a chance to attend the Popakedemie International Summer Camp in Germany with travel, accommodation and workshop expenses paid for. They will also receive training on areas such as songwriting, instruments, vocals, band and artistic expression.
Christoph Thompson, assistant professor of music media production, is behind the initiative.
"We just want to get a little bit of motion going with the students," he said. "A competition like this can inspire them. Maybe some of them have just started writing songs now, maybe some of them already have and never done anything with them."
Upon signing up, applicants are required to send in their song recording by March 10. Each contestant can enter a maximum of three recordings.
Contestants accepted in this round will perform live at Be Here Now on April 14. For contestants who want to perform with the school’s Music Media Production band, the deadline to send in their music sheets is on April 1.
The runner up will have the opportunity to be an opening act at the local music venue Be Here Now and have free recording sessions at the school’s Music Media Production studios.
Thpmpson noted that contestants should be able to play instruments and assume a role in a pop band, as the winner will be doing these activities in the camp.
‘‘What we’re looking for is something catchy that will speak to an audience, something unique, and we’re primarily also looking for good musicianship," he said.
The judging panel of the live performance will include members of the Ball State music media production faculty and a guest judge.
Claudia Armbruster, a sophomore major in music media production, was ecstatic to hear about the competition.
"I was super excited because it would just be a great opportunity," she said. "I heard the trip to Germany is like the biggest thing. And I was like, 'Oh, it would be so fun.'"
Ambruster is thinking of submitting three songs. Predominantly a vocalist, she can also play a bit of piano and guitar. The genre of her music is alternative pop.
To her, this competition is a chance to get confirmation about her decision to follow her music passions.
"You don’t go into music unless you really, really want it and are really passionate about it. So this [competition] would be more of a good step forward," she said. "It would be the validation that I would want, if I win this competition. It would really make me feel like I made the right choice. But even if I don’t win, I know I’ll still continue."
Even students who aren't music majors are encouraged to enter to competition, Thompson said.
"The good music, music that speaks to a lot of people is usually fairly simple. It’s about feeling and expression," he said. "Anyone who writes songs and can play them in a way that is expressive, and communicates feeling, they have a really good chance."
The winner will participate in the summer camp from July 22 to 28. Musicians from several European countries, the US and China will gather and be grouped into bands.
"In a world that is so global[ized], it is extremely important that our students get the opportunity to experience popular music outside of Muncie," Thompson said. "We're just curious to see what Ball State students are made of, to see what their chops are musically.’
Read More
Two students injured in Northern California school shooting, suspect dead
By Staff Reports / 2 hours agoTwo students were wounded in a Dec. 4 shooting at Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists, a private K-8 religious school in Palermo, Calif., according to the Associated Press (AP).
Ball State’s Student Government Association (SGA) approves Jennifer Gosse for Election Board Sheriff
By Shelby Anderson / 2 hours agoBall State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) held its last meeting of the Fall 2024 semester Dec. 4.
Ball State hires Butler's Mike Uremovich as Cardinals' next head football coach
By Staff Reports / 14 hours agoBall State has hired former Butler football head coach Mike Uremovich to become the program's 19th head coach.
