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Hi again, Is there any free trial I can try? Keyboard isn't adequate, so I thought an orchestra software would give me a good idea on what my piece would sound like. While I've heard of finale, sibelius etc., they require you to input sheet music for it to function. I was looking for something simpler so that i could test it out. Any ideas? Thanks, Elysian

I have been to countless numbers of recitals, concerts, and performances. Though majority of them were very good musically, I have noticed is that there is no real consensus on what is acceptable and what is not acceptable when organizing a concert. This is especially true, it seems, for composers. As composers we deal with more performers, more equipment, and so many other things beyond just the music. So what are the do's and don'ts of putting on a concert? Here are some question that one might ask themselves when during the process of putting on a concert; Answer those you have an opinion on. Performers When is the latest you should be handing out music to performers? If you are paying your performers, when should you pay them? If your performers are volunteers, how do you thank them; gifts, dinner, a thank you note? If concert is several miles away in another town, state, or countries and you are paying your performers, should you include travel expenses in their payment or pay for their travel and possible hotel stay? If concert is several miles away in another town, state, or countries and you are NOT paying your performers, should you pay for their travel, possible hotel stay, and/or other expenses? If you were a part of a concert with multiple composers, after performer, should you performers acknowledge you or should you walk up on stage and bow along with your performers? Or should they just bow and leave the stage? Should you be responsible for any other extra equipment your performer needs, such as electronic equipment, stopwatches, tuning forks, things for prepared piano, or foot pedals for live electronics and ect., or is that a responsibility for you the composer? Equipment If you are responsible for recording, when do you go into the venue to set up your equipment? If you are not responsible for recording, when should you talk to the recording tech people? If their is a video element or a lighting element, when should you it out? If their are electronic components to your music, when should it be set up in the venue? Pre-Concert Should you have a stage crew, or should you do any back stage preparations and duties yourself? How soon should you have the dress rehearsal? If you have a large ensemble performer a work of yours, how often should you attend rehearsals? If a piece is not up to your standards the day of or the day before, should it be removed, replaced, or allowed on the program? Should you make a poster or flyer, and if so when do you post them up? What is the appropriate attire for you and your performers? And what is not acceptable to wear for you or your performers? Should you make programs, if so what are some basic information that should be in them? Should you make any pre-concert announcements or speeches? When should you let the audience into the space? During the Concert Who should cue to lower the house lights and cue performers to go on stage? Where should you as the composer be during the concert; in the audience or back stage? Who should monitor the audience coming in and out during the concert? If an audience member becomes distractive, who should be responsible for asking them to leave; you or a recital/stage crew? If someone is arriving late, when should you allow them into the venue? If your concert has a mix of pieces that are solos, and pieces for larger ensembles that require the stage to be set up, which pieces should be first? How much time should you allow for setting up the stage for a piece? If you know a piece take a long time to set up, should you make the set up time the intermission, a slight break, talk about the piece to the audience while it is being set up, or just allow the audience to watch the set up? When should you have an intermission? After the Concert During the final applause, do you take your bow from the stage or from the audience? Should you have a reception after the concert? If so what should be served at a reception, if not why? How long, as the composer, should you stay after the concert? Who is responsible for cleaning up the stage, the house of the venue, and the lobby of the venue? Should you give your performers a copy of the recording? How do you thank your performers? If you were not pleased with the performance, does any of the following questions change? Are there anything else one should think about?

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Greetings fellow composers! I would like to find out from you all if anyone here composes by hand. I have always written my compositions by hand and I think it is a far better way of composing for the following reasons: 1. Developing your inner ear and being able to hear the composition in your head 2. Far more freedom in what you can do e.g. Graphic notation, complex polyrhythms 3. It's cheaper 4.I find it quicker. None of the 120 something compositions I have written (I have been composing for almost four years now) were written entirely on Sibelius or Finale or whatever. This post i'm writing isn't saying that notation software is bad, cos I think that they can be great for making parts and scores, but I think that everyone would benefit from using the good old fashioned quill and parchment (or pencil and paper) from time to time.