I cannot do what I do by myself. Sounds crazy, right? But it is absolutely true. I believe music is incredibly powerful and can help change and heal the world. Yet no matter how much I hold that belief to be true the creation and performance of music requires people to fill various roles. Commonly people identify three roles: composer, performer, and audience. There is also a fourth role that is vital to the creation of new music, and that is the role of the patron.
Patrons can be performers who would like a piece written just for them, or they can be members of the audience who want to participate in the process of creating new works by funding the work’s creation. Patrons are vital to the health and vibrancy of music and patronage can take many forms. When you purchase a recording, concert ticket, or score you are participating as a patron. When you invest in a composition project through crowd funding, or even organizing performances, you are participating as a patron. When you invest in creation and development of music through commissioning a new work you are participating as a patron.
The history of music cannot be told without also telling the stories of the patrons. In general patronage has moved from the church, to the aristocracy, and to public (chiefly government funding). With the technology available to us today, and the decline of public funding, patronage has now moved into the hands of individuals just like you. You don’t have to be a millionaire to be a patron. Support can come in an almost infinite variety of forms. Do you want to support my work, but don’t know how? Contact me and we’ll find a way!
If you can answer yes to any of the following questions you and I can collaborate together to make new music:
- Are you a performer who would like a piece written just for you or for your ensemble?
- Are you a school, church, group, or individual that would like to commemorate a special occasion?
- Are you interested in supporting the arts simply because you believe in it?
- Would you like to invest and help fund the creation of a new work for any reason at all?
- Do you have a special project, like a movie, videogame, or presentation that needs music?
Send me a message and let’s create something new together! Don’t delay. I want to do this with you today.