Composing a Living: A Music Creator's Guide to Money, Relationships, and Business

Author:   Brandon Elliott (Professor of Music, Saddleback College and Artistic & Executive Director, Professor of Music, Saddleback College and Artistic & Executive Director, Choral Arts Initiative) ,  Dale Trumbore (Composer & Writer, Composer & Writer)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press Inc
ISBN:  

9780197803479


Pages:   216
Publication Date:   16 October 2025
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   To order   Availability explained
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Composing a Living: A Music Creator's Guide to Money, Relationships, and Business


Overview

How do composers build sustainable careers, ensuring their work aligns with their financial goals and personal well-being? Composing a Living is a practical and empowering guide for composers navigating the intersection of music, money, and business. Drawing on extensive industry experience and twenty-eight interviews with successful composers across genres, Brandon Elliott and Dale Trumbore offer comprehensive guidance on pricing work, negotiating contracts, understanding copyright, hiring a creative team, and diversifying income. This book demystifies financial strategies, legal essentials, and entrepreneurial thinking, equipping music creators with helpful tools to take control of their careers. Whether you're just starting out or refining your business approach, Composing a Living provides real-world insights and proven strategies to help you thrive in today's music industry.

Full Product Details

Author:   Brandon Elliott (Professor of Music, Saddleback College and Artistic & Executive Director, Professor of Music, Saddleback College and Artistic & Executive Director, Choral Arts Initiative) ,  Dale Trumbore (Composer & Writer, Composer & Writer)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint:   Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.00cm , Height: 2.00cm , Length: 22.60cm
Weight:   0.295kg
ISBN:  

9780197803479


ISBN 10:   0197803474
Pages:   216
Publication Date:   16 October 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order   Availability explained
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Composing a Career Chapter 1: Starting to Start Chapter 2: Building Relationships Chapter 3: Cultivating a Successful Mindset Chapter 4: Goals and Economics: A Strategic Balance Chapter 5: Establishing a Strong Foundation Chapter 6: Pricing Your Work Chapter 7: Diversifying Income Streams Chapter 8: Assembling Your Team Chapter 9: Transitioning to 100 Percent Freelance Composing Chapter 10: Navigating Copyright, Contracts, and Legal Basics Chapter 11: Accounting Fundamentals and Incorporating Your Business Chapter 12: Preparing for Long-Term Financial Goals Conclusion: Creating, Growing, and Moving Forward Acknowledgments

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Author Information

Brandon Elliott is a conductor, educator, and consultant specializing in creative and strategic leadership in the arts and entertainment industry. He is a Professor of Music at Saddleback College and Founder & Artistic Director of Choral Arts Initiative, an award-winning ensemble dedicated to contemporary choral music. A sought-after consultant, he advises on artist management, career development, and the evolving music industry. Dale Trumbore is a composer and writer whose music has been called ""devastatingly beautiful"" (The Washington Post) and praised for its ""soaring melodies"" (The New York Times). Her compositions have been performed by ensembles including Conspirare, Los Angeles Master Chorale, National Youth Choir of Scotland, and the Pasadena Symphony. She is the author of Staying Composed.

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