Taking Note

Well, after months and months of meetings and planning, what we believe to be the first scientifically conducted survey of contemporary American composers has just been posted online. This project has been a joint venture of the American Composers Forum and the American Music Center and promises to be of great help in strategizing for future initiatives in our field.

In June, preliminary results from this survey will be presented at the National Performing Arts Convention in Denver, which hopefully will be something of a lightning rod for as many people involved in the performing arts in this country as possible. Perhaps—I’m always an optimist—our presentation about this survey will also put new music front and center in the minds of decision makers all across the country which—obviously, from my vantage point—is where it should be.

Of course, the study can only be an accurate barometer of our musical universe if all members of our community take the time to fill it out. So, if you’re a composer (and this term, as you know, has many possible definitions), set aside 20 minutes of your time as soon as you can and take the survey!