How do you balance working in the music business with composing? Philip Blackburn
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Senior Program Director, American Composers Forum
Eleven years of playing Robin Hood at the Forum, administering grants and making records has been a great way to rub shoulders with the best and brightest (as well as the down-trodden) while lending me the appearance of altruism. I consequently have a network of contacts who are largely oblivious to my composerly pretentions (or more precisely, environmental sound artisty).
Luckily my artwork is so far from the mainstream there is no conflict of interest and I seek my own opportunities elsewhere. A recent Bush Artist Fellowship will allow me an 18-month sabbatical to pursue my own creative dreams (such as developing a sound park in a Belizean jungle) while still keeping my toes in the office waters.