What is an Artist Statement, and why do you need one?

The Artist statement is 3 – 4 sentences (or 30 seconds) stating “who you are, what you do, what kind of musician you want to be, what do you stand for and what you love.”

Here’s one – there are others at the end of this document

We are a 21st century woodwind ensemble specializing in music from the past 100 years and the next 100 years. We actively commission music from diverse composers that reflect present times, and embrace the life, beauty and social struggles of our country and the citizens of every continent.

The Artist Statement guides you through the process of knowing when to say yes, and knowing when to say no — whether it’s a gig, playing for free or practicing repertoire or long tones.

Have you ever said, “If only I had 20 more hours in a week, I could get more things done?” Following your artist statement means you have more time to get the most important things done.

Author Steven Covey or one of his followers said, “People who have trouble getting things done are often spending time on unimportant things.”

The artist statement informs, directs and reminds you of the most important things, and most importantly, what the most important thing is right now.

Have you heard the old saying, “It’s not the destination but the journey that’s important?” Raise your hand if you hate that old saying? I was never a fan of it until recently.

Perhaps more important than coming up with your completed artist statement is the process, aka journey you will go through to create one.

The mere act of thinking about who you are and what you really do starts a process…it starts your journey because it ignites your brain, the most remarkable computer, idea generator and organizer.

Start writing your Artist Statement today. Give it time, let it ruminate and then work on it for a week or so. Once you start, your artist statement with evolve naturally and become the foundation of your your daily creative activities, your elevator pitch, web site content, emails and bios.

If you know what kind of cellist you want to be, and where you want that cello to be heard, you now know exactly what you need to do the next time you’re in your practice room.

Maybe you’ll only need 1 day or 10 days to write it. Then, stop; let it be for a while. Then, get ready for the next wave of ideas and focus to arrive do you can make your Artist Statement even stronger. Maybe it will be shorter, maybe you’ll find better words, or you might decide to start again from scratch because through the initial process and journey you have an even better way to state…

Who you are, what you do, what kind of musician you want to be, what you stand for and what you love.

I predict you will be pleased, energized and better focused on what’s truly important right now. Starting is the key. That’s what’s important right now.

*******

Here are other musicians, composers and ensemble’s versions of their Artist Statement.

A Principal player in a major U-S Orchestra

It is my honor and privilege to have a Principal position with my Orchestra, and also performing as a soloist and with some of the best chamber musician in the world.

Teaching also provides me so many additional rewards, largely because music education changed my life. No child should be without music. Bringing music to all the schools and all of the children in America is something that I believe is both important and morally imperative.

The musical life I am fortunate to experience will never be complete unless I share and introduce music and its life enhancing and life changing benefits with all of the black, brown and culturally diverse children of America.

Major American Composer-Pianist

I’ve always believed in music that did not represent anything: notes for the sake of notes and nothing else. For that reason, I deliberately give my works generic titles like Sonata, Symphony, Nocturne, Impromptus to emphasize that the music had no extra-musical content.

For me, writing music is - beyond working with the notes - working with abstract, non-specific emotions the way an abstract painter manipulates a palette of color.

I’ve always believed in “art for art’s sake.” I try to create works of beauty that will move the listener. I have no other agenda.

Israeli Opera Singer

“I’m a bagel on a plate full of onion rolls”

Orchestra Concertmaster, Soloist, Teacher and Chamber Music Series Director

I’m primarily a musician trying to connect with people in various ways that might somehow change their worldview. “Change" could be as minute as someone just noticing a great moment in a piece of music. Or, it could be some sort of musical experience that changes their lives in some significant way.

I am devoted to honestly articulating to music students the reality of the current arts business environment and, at the same time, introducing them to some of the skills they may need to survive and flourish.

Violin Soloist, Chamber Musician and University Violin Instructor

I revere the standard violin repertoire, but I also devote time to discover and commission new works, especially those that involve other art forms such as poetry, dance, theater and fascinating visuals.

Israeli Composer

I write music, so that when we meet, you and I, we are not strangers anymore.

Sharing common music is deeper than words. I write music, and so I am never too lonely, or too bored – the music accompanies and connects to the outer world, keeps challenging me day by day.

Music for me has ever changing languages, colors, borders, laws, victories, jokes, adventures.

Music can only heal, it never kills.

** ** ** *** ** ** **

About the title of this not-a-blog, “Me, Myself and I” (These are the lyrics Billie Holiday sang)

Me, myself and I
Are all in love with you
We all think you're wonderful
We do

Me, myself and I
Have just one point of view
We're convinced
There's no one else like you
It can't be denied dear
You brought the sun to us
We'd be satisfied dear
If you, you'd belong to one of us

So if you pass me by
Three hearts will break in two
'Cause me, myself and I
Are all in love with you

Your Artist Statement: “Me, Myself and I”

What is an Artist Statement, and why do you need one?

The Artist statement is 3 – 4 sentences (or 30 seconds) stating “who you are, what you do, what kind of musician you want to be, what do you stand for and what you love.”

Here’s one – there are others at the end of this document

We are a 21st century woodwind ensemble specializing in music from the past 100 years and the next 100 years. We actively commission music from diverse composers that reflect present times, and embrace the life, beauty and social struggles of our country and the citizens of every continent.

The Artist Statement guides you through the process of knowing when to say yes, and knowing when to say no — whether it’s a gig, playing for free or practicing repertoire or long tones.

Have you ever said, “If only I had 20 more hours in a week, I could get more things done?” Following your artist statement means you have more time to get the most important things done.

Author Steven Covey or one of his followers said, “People who have trouble getting things done are often spending time on unimportant things.”

The artist statement informs, directs and reminds you of the most important things, and most importantly, what the most important thing is right now.

Have you heard the old saying, “It’s not the destination but the journey that’s important?” Raise your hand if you hate that old saying? I was never a fan of it until recently.

Perhaps more important than coming up with your completed artist statement is the process, aka journey you will go through to create one.

The mere act of thinking about who you are and what you really do starts a process…it starts your journey because it ignites your brain, the most remarkable computer, idea generator and organizer.

Start writing your Artist Statement today. Give it time, let it ruminate and then work on it for a week or so. Once you start, your artist statement with evolve naturally and become the foundation of your your daily creative activities, your elevator pitch, web site content, emails and bios.

If you know what kind of cellist you want to be, and where you want that cello to be heard, you now know exactly what you need to do the next time you’re in your practice room.

Who you are, what you do, what kind of musician you want to be, what you stand for and what you love.

I predict you will be pleased, energized and better focused on what’s truly important right now. Starting is the key. That’s what’s important right now.

*******

Here are other musicians, composers and ensemble’s versions of their Artist Statement.

A Principal player in a major U-S Orchestra

It is my honor and privilege to have a Principal position with my Orchestra, and also performing as a soloist and with some of the best chamber musician in the world.

Teaching also provides me so many additional rewards, largely because music education changed my life. No child should be without music. Bringing music to all the schools and all of the children in America is something that I believe is both important and morally imperative.

The musical life I am fortunate to experience will never be complete unless I share and introduce music and its life enhancing and life changing benefits with all of the black, brown and culturally diverse children of America.

** ** ** **

Major American Composer-Pianist

I’ve always believed in music that did not represent anything: notes for the sake of notes and nothing else. For that reason, I deliberately give my works generic titles like Sonata, Symphony, Nocturne, Impromptus to emphasize that the music had no extra-musical content.

For me, writing music is - beyond working with the notes - working with abstract, non-specific emotions the way an abstract painter manipulates a palette of color.

I’ve always believed in “art for art’s sake.” I try to create works of beauty that will move the listener. I have no other agenda.

** ** ** **

Israeli Opera Singer

“I’m a bagel on a plate full of onion rolls”

** ** ** **

Orchestra Concertmaster, Soloist, Teacher and Chamber Music Series Director

I am devoted to honestly articulating to music students the reality of the current arts business environment and, at the same time, introducing them to some of the skills they may need to survive and flourish.

** ** ** **

Violin Soloist, Chamber Musician and University Violin Instructor

I revere the standard violin repertoire, but I also devote time to discover and commission new works, especially those that involve other art forms such as poetry, dance, theater and fascinating visuals.

** ** ** **

Israeli Composer

I write music, so that when we meet, you and I, we are not strangers anymore.

Sharing common music is deeper than words. I write music, and so I am never too lonely, or too bored – the music accompanies and connects to the outer world, keeps challenging me day by day.

Music for me has ever changing languages, colors, borders, laws, victories, jokes, adventures.

Music can only heal, it never kills.