The Songwriter’s Guild may not be a new organization, but they are making a name for themselves as a well-established group through their numerous performances.
Millikin’s Songwriter’s Guild was founded as an opportunity to inspire students to collaborate and fine-tune their songwriting abilities in a judgement-free space. Members are encouraged to work through the songwriting process in an environment designed to advance their skillset.
“We help provide a space for anyone to share their original music,” Ella Scott, Vice President of the Songwriter’s Guild, said. “Whether or not they are a songwriter. You could be a biology major or someone who is just interested in the music making process, either way we have a space for you to share music.”
The Songwriter’s Guild is a student-run organization and is always accepting new members who want to learn more about how to write and produce music. There is no musical talent or major requirement, they only ask for a love of creating music and a desire to work closely with others who have similar interests. This is Scott’s second year in the group. One of her favorite parts of the organization is hearing other people’s music and receiving feedback on her own.
“I feel like our student organization provides a lot of freedom for its members. Like I said, anyone who is remotely interested in songwriting can join,” Scott said. “We can provide a space for people to share their music and ideas, which is something that can be vulnerable at times.”
The Songwriter’s Guild has partnered with Millikin University Concert Committee (MUCC) and University Center Board (UCB) along with several other campus groups and functions. This arrangement has afforded them invaluable experience with performing original music in group settings. Moving forward, they would like to increase the amount of other organizations they work with and events they attend both on and off campus. They have discussed the possibility of frequenting more local bars and restaurants with open mic nights.
“One thing we aim to do is increase the number of performances we have per semester,” Kallie Weller, Public Relations and Marketing Officer for the group, said. “For this semester, we had a busy period of 3 or 4 performances within approximately a month and a half, but we now have nothing booked until mid-December with UCB’s Pancake Breakfast. Ideally, we’d like to have at least one performance a month.”
This is Weller’s second year in the group and she has proudly taken the initiative to expand the Guild’s social media presence. Weller has loved songwriting since sixth grade. Prior to joining, she didn’t realize how many other people enjoy writing songs and the group has been an eye-opening experience for realizing just how many others there are. She is in the process of producing her own album.
“Coming to college and realizing there were so many people just as interested in writing songs as me was a truly amazing moment, and it gave me the courage to start sharing my music,” Weller said. “Millikin Songwriter’s Guild was a phenomenal starting point for me as a songwriter, and I’ve seen it do the same for our current freshmen members. That feeling is something irreplaceable to me.”
One exciting new opportunity the Guild is hoping to offer next semester are live recording sessions in the Millitrax Studio so members can use the recordings to book gigs and showcase their talent. If someone has any interest in joining the Guild, they meet every Monday in the First-Step Records room in the Percussion House from 6-8 p.m., and after Music Industry Seminar on Wednesdays in Perkinson Music Center 105 from 6:50-7:15 p.m. The Guild is a great way to better an individual’s skills and forge relationships.
“Most members have found new friends from joining, and it’s a great way to form connections that can be sustained even after college,” Weller said. “We pride ourselves on being a safe space for members to share their music, which is an incredibly vulnerable process that requires a lot of mental and emotional strength.”
