James Hall and Emily Ruth Hazel have worked together on a few spoken-word and jazz compositions in the last two years. I asked these two to do this interview ahead of their next installation of …
Interview with Andrew Munsey: On Building a Life in Music and Audio Production
Since writing my last post about the practice of “community building” in the arts as a more personally sustainable alternative to “self-promotion,” I’ve been thinking about ways to show how some artists have put this …
Build Your Arts Career By Building Your Community: Promote Your Work In A Healthy Way
We all know intuitively that we couldn’t practice our art alone, but many artists’ approach to “self-promotion” leaves them feeling as if they are. Promoting our work isn’t the problem. We must be passionate advocates …
Diary of a Composer – May 6, 2013 – Time to Make a Decision
When I began composing the music that eventually became The Bright and Rushing World for AnyWhen Ensemble, I began a blogging project called the Diary of a Composer to give myself the opportunity think out …
How to Write a Better Bio: Advice for Artists and Musicians
Not every artist will apply for a grant in his or her career, but every artist needs to know how to write his or her own bio. This is the one task about which all …
Bass Solo Web Series: Interview with creators John Sutton and Heather Mingo
John Sutton and Heather Mingo, the creators of the Bass Solo web series, are good friends of mine who are taking a risk and are in the process of doing something amazing. In what will …
Why “Discoverability” Matters and How to Maximize Yours
Part 2 of a Series by Mary Cummings From Douglas: People are looking, so make sure you’re good looking! When you google yourself or your group, how do you look? If a poorly written entry …
Industry Perspective: Online Marketing Basics for Musicians
Part 1 of a Series By Mary Cummings From Douglas – Every time I see my good friend Mary Cummings, she tells me about some new online marketing tool and I feel like an old …
Four Reasons to Finally Write That Grant
Like the nutritious breakfasts that we learned about when we were kids, grants are only a part of “this complete breakfast.” Like the Captain Crunch that I so loved as a kid, (with Crunch Berries!) …
Consultancy Offer: CMA New Jazz Works applications
Calling all jazz composers and bandleaders! Chamber Music America’s wonderful program New Jazz Works is accepting applications until March 8. This application requires a work sample, a history of your ensemble, a description of your …