Foreword

Congratulations on taking a significant step towards mastering your creative output in the rapidly evolving, and at times dizzying, world of music in the digital age. As musicians, your success in today’s world involves navigating the complexities of research and publishing in the digital landscape as much as creating and performing music. It’s a thrilling, albeit challenging, journey that requires not just talent, but also knowledge and adaptability.

Musicians in the 21st century are innovators and pioneers. The digital era presents uncharted territory where the rules of engagement and possibilities are constantly evolving. Your pursuit goes beyond mastering your instrument or perfecting your vocals; it involves understanding the intricacies of research, copyright, and the nuances of publishing in a world where tradition and innovation exist together and present ever-changing opportunities. In this era, being a great musician is just the starting point. The real challenge lies in sharing your work effectively while reaching new constituencies, protecting it, and building a sustainable career in a landscape that is always in flux.

You may already be grappling with the changes happening in the ways that musicians are creating, funding, and sharing their work. In The Path to Funding, the authors demonstrated practical approaches to articulating your mission to secure funding and create a sustainable career while charting your own path to success. This companion book helps you build the same practical approaches to navigating changing research, copyright, and publishing environments.

As the digital landscape continues to reshape the music industry, it’s imperative that you equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to thrive and adapt. However, it can be overwhelming to think about all of the work that happens outside the practice room to make success a reality. This guide is an essential resource in helping you see why this work is valuable and how to build sustainable and manageable workflows that effectively leverage the digital space. The authors share their experience as librarians, performers, and scholars and give you practical tools to manage your information overload, copyright administration, and publishing decisions. They also bring in extensive research and real-world experiences of musicians who have successfully navigated these paths. It bridges the gap between your artistic passion and the practical aspects of building and sustaining a career in the digital age.

I invite you to dive into this guide with an open mind and a willingness to embrace new concepts. It might seem daunting at first, but remember, every challenge is an opportunity to grow, build audiences, and redefine your art. Use this book as a tool to enhance your understanding, protect your creations, and confidently step into the world of digital music. Embrace the journey with the same fervor you bring to your music and let this guide be a catalyst in shaping a fulfilling and sustainable musical career.

Fred Bronstein
Dean, The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
January 2024

About the author

name: Dean Fred Bronstein

institution: The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University

website: https://peabody.jhu.edu/explore-peabody/our-leadership/fred-bronstein/

Fred Bronstein, DMA—an accomplished pianist, dedicated music educator, and successful chief executive of American orchestras—has served as the inaugural Dean of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University since 2014. Bronstein is an advocate for equity and inclusion and outspoken in his belief that attracting new and diverse audiences is necessary to the future of the performing arts. Early in his tenure, Bronstein instituted a comprehensive, strategic Breakthrough Plan to focus Peabody on growth, expansion, and improved financial stability, which has resulted in new initiatives including a curriculum that redefines the educational model for aspiring artists, preparing them for 21st-century careers. Other milestones under his leadership include the 2018 launch of innovative academic programs in dance and in music for new media, and establishing the Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Network Clinic for Performing Artists at Peabody, the first of its kind on a music school campus. Bronstein has led Peabody in establishing ties with other JHU schools and with Baltimore community programs to bring performance and arts education beyond the halls of the Conservatory.

Prior to joining Peabody, Bronstein served as president of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, and Dallas Symphony Orchestra. As a performer, Bronstein toured for eight years as part of Aequalis, a chamber group he co-founded with a focus on new American music, innovative programming, and educational outreach. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the State University of New York, Stony Brook.