I’ve been in the initial stages of finding performers for my Nov. 15th DM recital, and I have to say it has not been going well. First, the pianist that recorded the Hommages for Piano – the same one that promised to do them on my recital, has backed out. Also, a few days ago, Carmen Tellez, the director of the Contemporary Vocal Ensemble here at IU, allowed me to come in at the beginning of thier rehearsal to speak about my piece (Colors in Silence), and to try to recruit some of them to sing in it. I got NO interest – NONE – not a single name. No one cares…
Sometimes it’s very frustrating and disheartening to be a composer.
I was just at a concert with at least 150+ people who paid $20 a pop to hear music which was mostly good’n’turrible. There was even a 5 minute standing O’ at the end for the pianist (the piece was a Rzewski piece). It was inspiring and gave me hope. People care and people get it (in San Francisco at least). People in corn town – it is such a rarefied environment and there are more bullshit pieces than you can shake a stick at. Stay focused, try not to be discouraged (you remember my recital!) and if you have to, postpone the recital and put on smaller pieces.
There is hope.