How Do You FInd New Music?

For most college students, it is the beginning of the Spring semester. (Only 4 months until summer!!!) It is also time for a lot of recitals. One question I get a lot during this time is “where do I find a solo/chamber piece for my recital?” I have a lot of suggestions that I give my students, but I would like to also find out where the DrumChattr community finds new music or repertoire. Check out my resources below and then add a comment in the Chattr Section and let me know if I missed anything.

1) Colleagues and Teachers – When ever I am looking for new repertoire, I ask my colleagues. A quick message on Twitter or FaceBook is a great way to ask people from all over the world. There may be new, unpublished pieces that I would never know about unless I ask my friends and colleagues.

2) Attend Concerts and Recitals – I try to attend as many local concerts and recitals as possible. When I attend concerts, I make sure I bring a pencil and get a copy of the program. As I am listening to the concert, I make notes in the program and then when I get home, I do some research on the pieces I liked. I have started a Word document with pieces I am interested in playing or pieces I want to avoid.

3) Conventions and DOPs – See #2. Also, if you go to PASIC, make sure you go to the Listening Resource Center. They have scores and sound samples of all of the past winners of the composition competitions. It is an incredible resource and I usually spend 4-6 hours listening to music when ever I go to PASIC.

4) Festival Repertoire Lists – (SCPEF, Geneva Competition, International Marimba Competition Paris) – These lists are a great resource, even if you don’t plan on attending the competition. I always make a copy of the list and when I have some free time, I go through the list and check out the pieces I am not familiar with. (As a side note, I also do this with Symphony audition lists, just so I know what is being asked).

5) Internet – YouTube, Amazon.com, iTunes, Composers Web Sites/Societies, Blogs (Percussion Axiom TV), Publishers (Tapspace, C. Alan Publishing, HoneyRock, Bachovich Music Publishers) – OBVIOUSLY I am always looking for composer and publisher websites that have score and sound samples. Are there any sites I am missing?

6) Composer Resources – The The American Music Center and American Composers Forum are, in my opinion, some of the most under utilized resources for any musician. They both have a huge collection of scores and audio files of their member’s works. I have found many pieces through both of these websites and if there were no samples, a quick email to the composer was all it took to get a score and a MP3. I know there are other music centers that also have listings of pieces. If you are aware of these societies, please let me know.

What am I forgetting? Where do you find new music? Please leave your thoughts below.

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Originally posted on DrumChattr.com on November 5, 2010.