Dear Bear,
"Tone"? Well, you've lost me. I was raised to think
like a scientist and be meticulously honest. Which word
do you think is rude, sarcastic, bragging about
accomplishments that I haven't done, or being dishonest
in any way? If so, I am more than eager to apologize,
but I think you are merely reading something else into
my simple words.
Let's start with: I did not say rude, sarcastic, bragging or
dishonest. The tone I did get from your email was:
I have written a great Concerto and cannot figure out why no one will
record it because it is a great and neglected work. After someone
writes something, we must let others be the judge. Present the work
and let it speak for itself.
Maybe I read the email wrong, but this is what I got from it...
Some other thoughts if you are seriously looking to
get the concerto recorded:
I searched Google, but did not see a website for you.
I have NO IDEA how to program a computer or make
a website, and don't have the money to hire someone to
do it for me. However there are a few good websites
about me, that are owned by other people.
Simply put: In order to succeed, you must set yourself up to succeed.
By not learning how to make a website, you are setting yourself up for
failure. Take the time to learn and build something simple. Relying
on others won't cut it. Heck, John Roberts-James even bought you a
site! As he said "opportunities are being missed. "
Getting one will add more impact if you are going to
present your Concerto to others.
You should know that I am incurably ill with
Advanced Diabetes, and go Unconscious, each time for
over an hour (sometimes as long as 8 hours), and it
happens several times a week, averaging 28 times each
month! I am only surviving on Welfare, so I do not
have the budget for anything beyond mere survival.
(I've had to document each one for Disability Court, so
I know I am presently over 960 Documented "Diabetic
Black-Outs" in just the last 7 years!)
Not having a budget is an excuse that holds no water. Since you have
internet access, make a site here:
[1]http://www.facebook.com
[2]http://www.myspace.com/
[3]http://twitter.com/
etc.
I do feel for you in your daily struggle...
Is it published and readily available for purchase? If
not, get it published as this will also add impact.
I self-publish my scores on my aging Mac Computer
using the "Finalé '98" Music Printing Program. I print
and coil bind all my scores, including Part Books, etc.
Great, but how is one going to find you?
William Kraft warned us NOT to let a Publishing
House take our Copyrights, because they NEVER
publicize new music, and thereby Suppress it from being
performed.
This seems really short sighted and just an opinion of one. It may
hold true for some publishers, but because one person says something
does mean it is true for all. MANY publishing houses publicize new
works. Check here for one of the best for brass compositions:
[4]http://www.editions-bim.com/
Besides, I can barely afford to mail one
package a month to anyone, so why send one to an
oppressive publishing house?
Email?
Has it been performed at local, national or
international conferences? If not,....
Actually I've had performances of various works in
over 20 countries around the world, but usually on
university campuses, so they were not for pay. That
includes the Beijing China Music Conservatory,
Ljubljana Slovenija, Peabody in Baltimore, etc.
Since the original email was about the Concerto, I am curious what
specific efforts you have made in getting it out there? Has it been
sent to the Horn Call?
Have you sent copies out MANY copies to college
professors around the globe? If not,...
Yes, but some never respond as soon as they see that
I write Professional Level music, and not baby-simply
ditties.
I am confused by this? You cannot expect everyone to write back, but
in order to even have a chance for a piece to get any play it has to
get out there. Since you have chosen to self-publish, you must make
all the effort yourself. If it is not getting the recognition you
think it should, this must fall on your shoulders.
Is it on any contest lists (state, national or
International)? If not,...
A few years ago, a young US Euphonium Student
wanted to play my Euphonium Transcription of it at his
university's Concerto Competition. After I sent him the
scores, he vanished and dodged answering my phone
calls and E-Mails. (I get that reaction a lot, when people
find out that I wasn't kidding, when I said my music is
just as hard to play as Shostakovich, Hindemith or
Prokofieff.)
This is just part of the process. Not everyone will write back or even
reply to repeated phone calls. You must move on and keep trying.
When people apply for a job, loan, or ask for help,
they are expected to explain their credentials and/or why
they deserve consideration. However when I do it, you,
Mr. Doughty, suggest that I have a bad "tone". I thought
I was acting like a professional, and showing extreme
courtesy by explaining some of my merits in detail, but
you seem to think otherwise. I find that unexpected and
confusing.
See above, but one particular statement stood out:
"Since all this documentation proves the merits of my work..."
Please let others judge. To say this about oneself is amazingly
egotistical....
Maybe others got a different tone from the email, but I stand by my
assessment that your tone in the initial email will not help you in
your efforts to get your piece performed or recorded.
I wish you luck in your efforts and encourage you to keep composing and
working on getting your works out to the general public, but understand
it is a process and will not happen overnight.
Take care,
Bryan Doughty
BVD Press, Music Express and Cimarron Music Press
Oystein Baadsvik tour coordinator - [5]http://www.baadsvik.com/
79 Meetinghouse Lane
Ledyard, CT 06339
[6][email protected]
860 536-2185
[7]http://www.bvdpress.com/
[8]http://www.cimarronmusic.com/
References
1. http://www.facebook.com/
2. http://www.myspace.com/
3. http://twitter.com/
4. http://www.editions-bim.com/
5. http://www.baadsvik.com/
6. mailto:[email protected]
7. http://www.bvdpress.com/
8. http://www.cimarronmusic.com/
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