The Concert Composer's Business Handbook

by Steven Rosenhaus

Overview

The Concert Composer's Business Handbook is written for composers of original music—mostly or completely within the world of concert or classical music—as a one-stop resource of information on earning income from music that they write. Drawing on a breadth of experience in the professional field, Stephen L. Rosenhaus addresses a variety of important topics, including:

CopyrightTypes of income streamsPerforming rights organizationsPromoting and presenting musicMusic publishingContracts for composersBasics of finances

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538188842
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	03/26/2025
Series:	Music Pro Guides
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Steven L. Rosenhaus has a multi-hyphenate career as a composer, arranger, conductor, lyricist, educator and clinician, author, dramaturge for musicals, and performer. His over 250 original works and arrangements have been published and performed by such musicians as the New York Philharmonic, the U.S. Navy Band, the Meridian String Quartet, pianist Laura Leon, and many others. Rosenhaus taught music composition with specialties in concert music, musical theater, and songwriting at New York University for over 30 years. He is co-author of Writing Musical Theater.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
LIST OF FIGURES
1.COPYRIGHT
2.INCOME STREAMS: DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
3.PERFORMING RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS (PROS)
4.PRESENTING AND PROMOTING YOURSELF AS A COMPOSER (PREPARING TO GET LUCKY)
5.THE GIG
6.PUBLISHING YOUR MUSIC
7.PRESENTING YOUR MUSIC
8.CONTRACT (AGREEMENT) BASICS
9.FOLLOW UP
10.FINANCES
11.USEFUL WEBSITES
12.SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
13.Appendices
Glossary
Suggested Commission Timeline
Sample Commissioning Agreement
14.Index

Editorial Reviews

So, you’re a composer who knows how to create beautiful music. But do you know what it takes to succeed in the business realm? This book covers all of that and more. Steven L. Rosenhaus has done a remarkable job compiling the essential knowledge every composer needs. It’s the ultimate resource that should be on every composer’s bookshelf!

Larry Clark