What have you composed for? Or what medium do you work around?
Choir, Small Ensemble
What is your favorite genre or style of music?
Early music
Is music your main income source?
No - Not at all.
About Me (Must include at least one paragraph of biographical information about you as a composer) - blank or minimal answers on this line will cause your request to be rejected. Include a link to your website if you have one.
I'm a Rehabilitation Counselor, retired after 35 years. I've composed for many years, but have only recently become more serious, taking composition lessons.
I have sung in choirs for a long time, and have played early music instruments for a long time. I compose mostly for choir and recorder ensembles.
My primary group is the Adirondack Baroque Consort. Our web site is
abconsort.org
Founded in 1955, the ABC is the oldest continuously active early music group in the United States.
I am also a member of the Saint John's Recorder Ensemble and several choirs.
I have been composing works for these groups for some time with mixed results.
They have all performed works of mine.
Most of my work is small pieces for the recorder ensemble. Many of these have been performed but are unpublished. Part of my Requiem was performed and recorded a few years ago. This is a piece for organ, piano, flute, violin, cello and choir.
I am very fortunate in that I do not have any need to make any profit from my work. I simply do not wish to be involved in the work of copywriting and marketing. I am happier to allow my work to be freely available. I have put a number of my works on
imslp.org
where they are freely available for download. I get word from time to time that a work of mine is being played in New Zealand or Texas, and this is what I hoped would happen.
I am not aware of any composer here with interests like mine, and I have to wonder if this is a place for the type of work I am doing.
Comments
about the 'hook' and the number of repetitions needed to make it 'catchy' to the average, unschooled listening public. With my songs, I'm generally going for that. I've written a few 'art' songs and certainly, they are different. I do know what you mean about being too close to your own work to be objective. This site is very helpful with that. I also have a co-writer in Nashville that I value as an obejective ear for some of my solo work. He was my co-writer for "Roll On Titan Thunder" (you know, Titan football in Nashville.) Dan is a master of the songwriting format, has over a hundred cuts with Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Dionne Warwick, too many to name. It's all about the intended audience. Be well. I think you have a LOT of talent. When did you start playing? Did you play by ear when you were a child? You seem to have natural musical instincits. Martha