3 ways to get a premiere performance of your choral work

Every day I see composers struggling with getting their piece performed. Especially if it is a premiere. It can be difficult for some conductors to take the leap of faith and be the first performers of a work. I struggle with that as well.

However, I found that these three ways raise my chances to get a premiere performance and to create a new connection with a choir and the audience. I want to share it with you and see if it can help you.

Ask Conductors for what they want

When you approach conductors, don’t just send them your piece. This is not the most effective way of getting a performance.

Instead, talk to them to see what is it they need. Once you know the details of the piece that they are looking for, you’ll be able to discern if your piece is the right fit for what they are planning to program.

Create a piece that is not overly complicated and shows your artistry

We love writing music that challenges the singers to new levels, and that is awesome! But I want you to consider one thing: rehearsal time. Not all choirs have professional singers or singers that live for singing in the choirs.

Most of the people that sing in choirs are volunteering their time to connect with their friends, sing wonderful music, and connect with the audience. They want to have fun, or to fulfill their artistic needs.

Your piece must help them achieve this, and if they struggle and feel inadequate, they will despise your piece, no matter how wonderful it is. The premiere will be a disaster and then you’ll have a bad experience 🙁

I’m not saying to dumb down your piece. But I would love to challenge you to find a way to make your piece simple and effective and still incorporate these challenges that you want.

I myself don’t always get to accomplish this, but when I do, I feel that I am not just writing for me. I am writing for the singers, for the audience, for the community.

Create a connection with the choir and conductor before writing the piece

Approaching a choir, their singers, and the community could be the best way to get a premiere. But don’t do it to get the premiere, but to connect and learn from new people. They will teach them about their life and their voices.

When you approach a choir, when you go to their concert, you learn what they love singing, what they don’t, how they behave, and even how they hug. All of these details will help you to create a bond and know what to write for them.

You could even ask the conductor if they would ever be open to read a piece of yours. Wouldn’t that feel even more special?