Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about submitting composers for possible review and listing:
What type of composer and music are you searching for?
We are looking for outstanding but relatively unknown living composers of art music. This category includes both music which sounds similar to true classical music (which was composed in the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras) and so-called contemporary classical music, which usually does not sound similar.
Does the music have to conform to current trends regarding what is considered good music?
No, certainly not. Trends change. Works which are considered good music by music critics today may be forgotten in ten or a hundred years. We strongly welcome submissions of good music that does not conform.
How can a composer benefit from being listed or reviewed by Numu21?
A major benefit is increased exposure for their work. We suspect that that there are some truly outstanding living composers whose music is virtually unknown to the general public and who could benefit from such exposure.
Will you provide constructive criticism for new composers.
We will definitely want to consider this in the future.
How do you evaluate submitted composers?
We are most concerned about originality, craftsmanship and emotional effect (such as beauty or drama, depending on the work). And, in this context, we want to consider the likelihood that a composer's works will become part of the standard repertoire and be performed not only ten, but also fifty and even a hundred or more years from now.
Do you also consider how prolific a composer is?
Prolificacy can also be important. Although we are primarily interested in originality, craftsmanship and emotional effect, we would give a higher rating to a composer who has, for example, numerous excellent works than to a composer who has just one. But we would give a higher rating to a composer who has one truly outstanding work than to a composer who has a hundred mediocre works.
Is it necessary that the on-line audio for a work has been created using traditional musical instruments rather than electronically?
No, definitely not. Although real instruments usually sound better, there are undoubtedly numerous talented composers who have no access, or only limited access, to a live orchestra to perform their compositions. Also, some types of new music are not performed with traditional instruments.
Can on-line samples be excerpts rather than complete works?
Providing a complete work is of course preferable to an excerpt for evaluation, but it is not always necessary. For example, samples of just a few minutes each from a large number of works could be as useful in evaluating a composer as a small number of complete works.
What information should I include with my suggestion?
(1) The name of the composer, (2) links to the composer's website and/or to the composer's works on other websites, and (3) the reasons that you think that this composer is one of the world's greatest living composers and deserves more recognition.
What should be the format of the online music?
We ask that it be in a standard audio format such as .wav, .mp3 or .ogg or in a video format that includes audio.
Does a composer have to have their own website?
No, not necessarily. Any form of web presence which contains multiple samples of their work could be sufficient.
Can a composer submit himself or herself?
Yes, certainly.
How should I send my suggestion?
Please fill out the suggestion form, being sure to include the composer's full name, url(s) of website(s) on which their music appears in audio form, and reasons for your nomination of that composer.
Is it possible for you to evaluate a composer by using scores rather than from audio files contained in websites?
Not at this time, but we hope to also be able to do that in the future.
How can I know if a composer's name has already been submitted?
Please check the list of already submitted names.
What can I do to increase the chances of my suggestion getting evaluated?
The most important thing is the quality – originality, craftsmanship, beauty, etc. – of the music. It is also important to provide links to samples of as many works by the composer as possible and to explain what is truly outstanding about the composer.