[Trombone-l] Church music, tbn solos

[Robert Holland]

Eric Edwards wrote:

> I probably wouldn't put the blame entirely on the publishers.
> Usually they print what is asked of them, meaning people probably
> complained about the tunes being TOO challenging.
> Lame as that may sound, I agree.
> BUT...
> It's another sad commentary on our society.
> EVERYTHING it seems is being dumbed down in some way.

I'm not sure where you get your ideas about publishers. I can think of 
lots of different reasons for what happens in the publishing biz, but 
the bottom line for most is producing a product that sells. If there is 
any asking or complaining going on, it's almost assuredly simple 
feedback in terms of demand/sales.

Of the 30+ titles I publish, I couldn't have anticipated which ones in 
fact turned out to be the best sellers. Although I suppose I could 
publish high-selling, dumbed down stuff that others do (famous works or 
conspicuously trombone-centric excerpts from symphonic works), I'm 
frankly more interested in doing the best work I know how, and I've 
refused some work I felt wasn't of sufficient quality. However, that 
may be a luxury a small press like mine has over a large publisher. I 
don't have a payroll to meet.

In the context of sad commentaries on our society, a mix of observable 
effects exist. Sure, many skills and traditional values are being lost, 
displaced, and/or eclipsed by others we might regard as less artful. 
When fueled solely by the demands of the marketplace, that is sometimes 
called the "race to the bottom." Yet much worthwhile activity persists, 
even if it isn't as high-profile or profitable as the mainstream. So 
don't be too quick to dismiss everyone. Lots of folks are carrying the 
flame.

Robert Holland, Publisher
Briar Music Press
briar at rcn.com
www.briarmusic.com