Composing a Living: A Music Creator's Guide to Money, Relationships, and Business

By Dale Trumbore and Brandon Elliott

How do composers build sustainable careers, ensuring their work aligns with their financial goals and personal well-being? Composing a Living is a practical and empowering guide for composers navigating the intersection of music, money, and business.

Drawing on extensive industry experience and twenty-eight interviews with successful composers across genres, Brandon Elliott and Dale Trumbore offer comprehensive guidance on pricing work, negotiating contracts, understanding copyright, hiring a creative team, and diversifying income. This book demystifies financial strategies, legal essentials, and entrepreneurial thinking, equipping music creators with helpful tools to take control of their careers.

Whether you're just starting out or refining your business approach, Composing a Living provides real-world insights and proven strategies to help you thrive in today's music industry.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0197803474
• ISBN13: 9780197803479
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.9"