the importance of performance

As an art form, our medium can be quite limiting. If you present a written piece of music to someone, they can look at it, (and if musically literate) and may understand some of it, but for the most part, our music does not truly exist unless it is performed audibly. Unlike a picture, you can't hang your music on the wall for all to enjoy. The closest we can come to capturing our art live is through recording. However, you can't have a recording if you don't have a performance.

So, that is definitely one tally in the category of why you SHOULD get your music performed. Along the same lines, since your music can't be heard without being played, it is almost as if you haven't written it if it hasn't been played.

There are other reasons you should get performances too. The more you write and HEAR, the more you learn. You can theorize about what the sounds you chose sound like, but without hearing it, you can't KNOW.

Also, writing music and getting performances lends itself to more performances. If people are accustomed to your writing, and hear your music often, they may be more willing to play for you again in the future. (Connections are important.)

One more big reason is that performances are important in your professional life. If you wrote 12 pieces this year but only had 2 performances, very few people will know your music. This means less people will seek out your music, and you will have to struggle to get performances, because you haven't been. Professional organizations, competitions, grad schools and even employers look to see how often your music is getting performed. The general phrase is "steady schedule of performances."

While that is incredibly cryptic, 2 performances a year isn't really great enough to be considered "steady." That being said, take every opportunity to get your music performed. Get pieces performed multiple times. Premieres are easy, it is the 2nd performance that is hard. Apply to competitions, where your music may be heard in a different city, state, or country, and where YOU don't have to rehearse it! If it fits the bill, get it performed, even if you may not be too proud of it anymore. Someone may still like it.

On a related note, I plan to organize another composition concert in February/March sometime. If you have ANY piece, this is a freeeeee concert opportunity. Take advantage of it.