Meet the Composer
How to Find a Composer
Finding a composer to collaborate with or whose music you would like to perform or program can be a daunting task. MTC has collected the following resources to help in your search.
You can start with the series of questions below or jump down to resources on this site, resources on other sites or a list of music publishers.
As you begin your search, ponder the following questions:
- Are you looking for a particular style of music?
- Is the location of the composer important? Composers live in every community across the country and geography, even in our interconnected age, still plays a role in different working relationships.
- What experience level are you looking for? Are you trying to discover new voices or celebrate an established one?
- Are you looking to use an existing work in some way or commission a new one? Or, are you looking for a potential collaborator? What role will the composer or composers play in your plans?
- Last but not least, what are your financial parameters? What kind of compensation are you prepared to offer? If compensation is not possible, are there other benefits you can offer the composer?
After considering your needs and ideas related to your search, we recommend the following resources. If you know of others that have proved useful, please let us know ».
Resources on this site (meetthecomposer.org):
Previous Awards »
Records of Meet The Composer's previous awards for composer interaction activities, residencies and commissions.
Events Calendar »
Events sponsored by Meet The Composer usually involve the composer's presence and some form of interaction. These events are great opportunities to not only hear the music but meet the person behind it as well.
MTC's Commissioning History »
Searchable database of MTC commissions. Search by composer, genre, instrumentation or keyword. Hundreds of new works have been brought to life through Meet The Composer commissions. If you're looking for new voices or new repertoire, chances are you'll find them here.
Composer Links Page »
An extensive, but by no means exhaustive, list of composer websites. All interested composers are invited to add or suggest links for this page by contacting us.
Other resources on the web:
AMC Online Library »
A continually growing database of American repertoire offering users performance information, score and audio samples, and advanced search capabilities.
NewMusicBox »
NewMusicBox is a Web-based advocacy magazine and portal dedicated to the music of American composers and improvisers and their champions.
CDeMusic »
Online store specializing in electronic music and sound art, a great way to explore new voices working outside the mainstream.
Sequenza21 »
An impressive collection of new music blogs, articles and other resources for the new music world.
The Composer Next Door »
Have you ever actually met a composer...in the grocery store? Contrary to popular belief, not all composers have died with their powdered wigs on - there’s probably a few of ‘em living in your own neighborhood. The Composer Next Door is a new radio program dedicated to finding these composers and bringing their music to your home. Broadcast Sundays at 4 p.m. from the studios of KCSC-FM on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK, The Composer Next Door is written, produced and hosted by composer/conductor Rob Deemer.
Music Publishers
Music publishers can be an invaluable resource for identifying the best musical talent. Publisher staff members are always eager to assist in your search. Below is a short list of publishers to get you started, but many more are out there.