Making Connections

I just recently transferred from Grand Canyon University (an abysmal school with an even more abysmal music program) to Arizona State University. And I am suddenly feeling very overwhelmed and very much an outsider. From a professional standpoint, this is a terrible, terrible thing for a composer. We need contacts and performers to bring our music to life and I am sure I am not the only person here who has struggled making contacts. So, I was wondering, how did you make contacts as a composer in college, if you went to college, and if you did not go to college how did you make professional contacts. Also, how long did it take you until you felt like you had a really solid set of contacts to collaborate with in your music?

Well, I am only part way out of college (in between undergrad and grad studies at the moment) but I haven't made that many connections. Maybe I am on my way out of the composition world for this reason. I dunno. For the few connections that I have, I blame genuine interaction on my part and general interest on the part of the contact. Also, in my experience, performers want things to perform and they want composers they can relate to. So, the advice from someone who isn't there yet either... don't be a jerk, don't be shy, and present your work(s) for what it is, art in progress -- ask other artists to participate with you in making something new!

You need to talk to people. Terrifying concept, I'm sure.

Well duh. But for the most part all of my classes are composition and guitar based. I seem to be very isolated from all of the non-guitar performance majors. I guess it was more of a "how do you find them" question, and also a question with the hopes that the more experienced members would share their stories and experiences for the less experienced members here.

I mean, it's no different than networking in any other situation. If you're trying to find performers, find musicians who like the same kind of music as you do. Looking at your 'favorite composers', I'm inclined to believe that you shouldn't have any problem.

Join as many ensembles as you can. I realise this can be difficult with classical guitar (which I'm assuming is your main instrument, judging by your pic and info) because it's normally seen as a solo instrument but there are still things you can do with it. For example, I'm a member of a guitar orchestra and while I was studying, I played continuo guitar in a Baroque ensemble.

If you're in an ensemble, you could be the shyest, most introverted person in the world, but you will still find yourself getting to know the musicians around you. When I need to know something technical about instruments that I don't play, the musicians I played with in ensembles are my first port of call, and they are usually happy to help as much as they can. In terms of getting your compositions performed, an ensemble is much more likely to program a new work by one of their own than by some random composer. I've had quite a few of my works performed by the guitar orchestra I'm in even though most of them can't stand the style of music I write. They were willing to grit their teeth and get on with it because I've contributed a lot to the orchestra and I now class these people as my friends. If these sorts of ensemble opportunities don't exist, then you can start them if you're determined enough.

You could start a music society if there isn't one already at your college. Remember, it's not just music students who play instruments. Something like a music society could attract some of these other students who could be involved in local music projects that have nothing to do with the university that you could also get involved in.

Go to shows. 

Stay late.

TALK & schmooze.  

Business cards?  

Bring money for beer.

DON'T BE BORING.  Be memorable for the right reasons.

Twitter is remarkably useful (never would've believed that until I tried it myself and started making real connections).

Twitter is remarkably useful (never would've believed that until I tried it myself and started making real connections).

^^That's hard to believe. I may have to give it a try.

My guess, Michael, is that this is a process that few of us master (let alone feel "really solid" about).

Im sure this has already been said but join an ensemble. And not just join, be good at your instrument. Performers like to surround themselves with other good performers. Majority of the performers I know are people I met in band and choir. 

When in said ensemble, also be personable and make friends. Its obvious but very important. Be friends with your performers and depending on how good a friend you were, they will remember you in their career.

Also be friendly in your music classes and if your University has music fraternities think about joining. The friendlier you are with performers the less likely they will be to turning away your music.