St. Martin's Chamber Choir

Composers Forum

Below is a list of questions asked of four composers connected with St. Martin's Chamber Choir.  

You may click on a question to see the answers given by all four composers, or click on the composer's name to see how he or she 
answered all of the questions.

Responses from: 

M. Susan Brown

Steve Hahn

Tim Krueger

Terry Schlenker

1. At what age did you begin to write music?

2. Who were early influences on your compositional style?

3. Which, if any, composers have influenced you over the longer term?

4. Are you self-taught, or did you study with composition teachers? If the latter, which teachers helped you develop as a composer, and in what ways?

5. What composers, living or dead, do you most admire?

6. What inspires you to write a piece of music?

7. This is something many people want to know: How do you do what you do? What is the process by which you write a piece of music?

8. How does the process of writing music change from piece to piece?

9. What are the easiest aspects for you of writing a composition?

10. What are the most difficult aspects for you of writing a composition?

11. How do you know when a composition is finished?

12. Do you consider your process as a composer to be primarily intellectual? Emotional? Spiritual?

13. What emotions do you feel as you compose a piece of music?

14. What emotions do you feel right before a world premiere of one of your compositions?

15. What are some of the highlights of your career as a composer?

16. How supported do you feel in your compositional efforts? This can be addressed at the individual level (e.g., friends and family members) and at the level of society (e.g., government, music education in the United States).

17. This may tie in to the previous question, but overall, what are your greatest challenges as a composer?

18. What are your greatest rewards as a composer?