No sooner did I complete the catalog than I received purchase orders, and was able to put the newly formed organization to work for me. But the time and effort were well worth it, for I emerged at the end of the year with the music in order, ready to be shown and sold, with a catalog as a guide. I wanted to compose full-time, and I thought I had better give this all of my efforts while I was still relatively young. So, at age 31, I left academic employment and, with some fear, set out to build a career upon my composing skills. Meeting performers at their concerts is also important.
Music is a communicative and social language.
It requires composers, performers and audiences. And all three need each other. Performers often commission new works, as do presenting organizations and almost any group imaginable. But a business sense is important here. The composer must know how to initiate a commission and charge the appropriate amount fair to both composer and commissioning organization.