A lovely morning in Philadelphia with composer Andrea Clearfield was wrapping up. She sat there, framed in the sun, eating the last of her bagel. “I would love,” I confided, “to do something to support other composers.”
Andrea smiled, “Let’s talk to Alex.”
A year later, and together with composers Andrea Clearfield, Alex Shapiro, Mara Gibson, Jennifer Higdon, Cynthia Folio and Alexandra Gardner, we created the Composer Posse, a brain trust of composer wisdom of hundreds of years of practice. In meetings, open to all composers, we share our experiences in topics such social media, tech, networking, balancing family and career, to name a few.
The Composer Posse is about connecting, supporting and acknowledging fellow composers from all genres, career levels and interests.
Life as a composer is always the long game. Surviving the obstacles and setbacks, the highs and lows and just continuing to compose the music is a victory worthy of celebrating. The shared companionship of the Composer Posse makes this easier. Who ever shows up to these meetings is greeted with joyous inclusion, and embraced as one of the tribe, regardless of number of years in this field – a beginner, intermediate, or established composer, even the late comer.
I always wanted to take over the music world. I know it is a silly goal in the face of reality, but I am tired of the competition between composers, not to mention the condescension by classical music to contemporary music, or the lack of opportunities for this generation of music to flourish. So, teaming up with others, I ground my advocacy in radical inclusion. And this has enriched my life beyond measure.
Drawing, colored pencil, © Tina Davidson
