Episode 4 - Composing Music for Publication (with Bruce Tippette)

Jan 23, 2023

Bruce Tippette, an accomplished composer focusing on music for schools and churches, shares his insights on the composition process. He discusses the often-overlooked path of publishing music, emphasizing the need for creativity tailored to various age groups. Bruce delves into the complexities of navigating the grading system for ensembles, balancing artistic expression with marketability. He also offers strategies for getting published and building relationships in the music industry, highlighting the importance of adaptability and resilience for aspiring composers.

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Intro

00:00 • 5min

Balancing Music and Education

04:51 • 8min

The Composer's Journey: Navigating Music Creation and Publication

13:13 • 24min

Navigating Music Composition Grades

37:31 • 18min

Navigating the Music Publishing Landscape

55:47 • 18min

Essential Tools for Composers

01:13:47 • 5min

Navigating the Music Publishing Landscape

01:18:31 • 2min

Most aspiring composers have narrow goals, seeing film (or video game) music or being a concert composer as the way to go, but if you can create music on paper, you actually have many options to contribute original music and add at least some income in the process. One of those ways is composing for publication that is marketed to schools and churches: music for school bands and orchestras, music for church choirs and handbells ensembles, and more. It's a tricky world that requires a flexible but creative composer who can still write very good music that is specifically tailored to various ages and levels.

Bruce Tippette is a composer with dozens of published works through Alfred Music, Hal Leonard, C. Alan Publications, Carl Fischer, FJH, and more, many of which have been honored as J.W. Pepper's Editors Choice. Bruce talks with us about the skills needed to become this type of composer, how to navigate the sometimes intimidating grading system of school ensembles, strategies to getting published, and how all of this can lead to building relationships and getting commissioned work.

You can explore Bruce's music and contact him through his website at https://www.brucewtippette.com/

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