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

by Brandon Elliott, Dale Trumbore

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780197803479
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	09/30/2025
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Biographies of Composers Interviewed

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

Resources
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Index