Questions? Answers.

Back in January, I posted a blog about Musical America’s exciting new partnership with Edna Landau – “Ask Edna.”  Since starting her new blog, Edna has addressed some excellent career-related questions by young musicians, and she has provided some insightful guidance and ideas to consider.  Recently, I figured I would throw a question into the mix that would be very relevant to composers – the idea of self-publishing versus traditional publishing.

Edna graciously addressed my question this week, and as expected, she offered some keen insights and thoughts that I had not considered.  In regards to seeking out the right publisher for your music, Edna says:

quesionmark“You will certainly want to research the level of music organizations with whom they regularly do business; check whether they are staffed adequately to provide the marketing and promotional support, as well as individual attention, you are seeking; find out whether they meet regularly with their clients and travel to key performances and premieres, and who would be your primary and regular contact. It is important to feel a good chemistry with that person and to sense that you would be a priority for them, not unlike a good artist/manager relationship.”

To read Edna’s full post, click here.  And remember, you too can “Ask Edna” and get her expert thoughts by emailing: askedna@musicalamerica.com.

About the author

Stephen Danyew
Stephen Danyew

Steve Danyew is a composer, saxophonist, teacher, and arts administrator based in Rochester, NY. Danyew composes works for chamber ensembles, large instrumental ensembles, choirs and more, and currently serves as Managing Editor of Polyphonic.org. His music has been hailed as “startlingly beautiful” and “undeniably well crafted and communicative” by the Miami Herald, and has been praised as possessing “sensitivity, skill and tremendous sophistication” by the Kansas City Independent. Steve received a B.M. cum laude, Pi Kappa Lambda from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and holds an M.M. in Composition and Certificate in Arts Leadership from the Eastman School of Music.

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