New Traditions - Finding New Music That Fits Your Needs

Being a musician demands the ability to pick music that works for your needs. As musicians, we work within a complex and diverse economy that requires a significant amount of variety in the music we play. Many of us wear more than one hat. In fact, most performers wear many! If you are an active performer, it is likely that you are involved in a variety of ensembles and initiatives such as an orchestra or band, a chamber music ensemble, solo performances, liturgical gigs, musicals, etc.

D.S. Musiks has a goal in mind that will help you make sure that you have the music you need to satisfy many of these performance mediums - music that is catered to the instrument, ensemble, and purpose you are looking for. Here are some suggestions we have for you as you hunt for something new.

1. Consider going beyond tradition - we often confine ourselves to instrumentation that is "traditional." Perhaps it is time to try something new! For example, if you are a flutist, you may want to try a piece that challenges your current performance needs. Our piece, "What Waits Beyond," by Matthew Schmidt, demands more than just the C flute. This piece is engaging to both performer and audience member, having you play flute, alto flute, and piccolo in one piece! It is important to include new works like this in your solo repertoire. Our newest piece available, "Life Cycle," by Owen G. Davitt, offers a similar challenge for recorder. In one movement, the performer is asked to play five recorders, going from sopranino to soprano, then alto, tenor, and concluding with the bass (basset). Pieces like this will challenge the audience's perspective on solo flute performance and introduce them to the colors and timbres of the alto flute and piccolo.

2. Actively work to support living composers - we know that there is a set repertoire for every instrument and with that music, is the necessity for celebrating the music and composers that came before us. With that said, D.S. Musiks celebrates what we call the buffet method. Our arsenal of music should include works both new and old. In order to support living composers, one must obtain and perform their music. We encourage you to peruse our catalog and find something that works for you. Which brings us to our next point -

3. Commissions and Consortiums - there is no better way of supporting composers than to commission them or start a consortium. At D.S. Musiks, we offer a variety of commission and consortium packages at affordable rates. If you would like to know more, please contact us at contact@dsmusiks.com

4. Sharing is Caring - sharing clips of you practicing or performing new music on social media is crucial for the development of musicians in the 21st century. We know that we are most certainly living in a digital age. Use technology to benefit yourself as an artist. By sharing you performing new music by living composers you are contributing to the micro economy that is crucial for the development of artists around the world. Composers and publishers depend on such initiatives to gain support from new customers.

We hope that these simple but crucial tips will help you as you shop for new music and grow as a performer. D.S. Musiks is committed to bringing you new music. If you can, leave a comment below, offer your thoughts, and get yourself something new to perform from our catalog. We wish you a music-filled day!

Sincerely,

The Team at D.S. Musiks