Recommendations
Robert Paterson
Over the years, I have had the tremendous honor of writing numerous recommendations, teaching hundreds of composers, both privately and via schools and festivals, and sitting on numerous panels and judging committees. Since I know how important recommendations can be, I take them very seriously, especially since they can literally make or break someone’s career. If done correctly, writing compelling recommendations takes quite a lot of time. I am happy to say that my recommendations have been integral to numerous composers and colleagues receiving commissions, teaching positons, and other opportunities, so I am confident in my ability to advocate for composers and other musicians.
As a recommender, one of the issues I encounter is being asked to write recommendations for composers I have not been in touch with for a long time, sometimes even many years. This is problematic, especially since this prevents me from writing authoritatively about their work, or a least with regard to what they have up to recently. Also, what schools, competitions, panels, etc. are usually looking for, more than my assessment of their music, is an assessment of composers as people or as potential colleagues. No recommender can really get a sense of that if they don’t know composers well enough. If you are a composer, and you take yourself, your music, and your career seriously, you will really want recommenders to take their time writing recommendations, and be as authoritative as possible.
To ensure that I can write the best possible recommendations, here are a few rules I follow:
Please ask me first if I will write a recommendation for you or if you would like to use my name as a recommender. (As side note, a good rule is to never assume anyone will write you a recommendation or use their name without asking first.)
I will only write a recommendation if I know your music or you are a professional colleague (i.e., you teach in a university, you are generally over the age of 35, etc.). How do you know if you’re a professional composer? If you yourself are writing recommendations for others, you are probably a professional composer!
I will only accept materials via email if you are taking a lesson or lessons with me.
I prefer writing a recommendation after giving you at least one lesson and preferably at least three within the year of your asking for a recommendation, but will do it if you only took one. I just might not have a lot to go on if you only took one, but I’ll do my best.
Lessons or meetings don’t have to be in-person; I am happy to give virtual lessons over Zoom.
I will write as many recommendations as you need within one year of having given you a lesson, whether privately, or at my festivals, or any other festivals. For example, if you are applying to a bunch of schools in one year, feel free to use my name as a recommender for all of those schools. After one year, you will need to take a lesson with me so I can assess your music, speak with you for an hour, and be up to speed with what you’re up to.
If you are interested in taking a lesson or lessons with me, I currently charge $150 per hour for composition lessons (i.e., a lesson in which we discuss your music). For career consultations, I charge $250 an hour.
If I decline to write you a recommendation or give you a lesson, it’s because either I don’t have time at the moment, or I feel that I just don’t know you or your work well enough, or I just don’t feel like I’m the right advocate for you and your work. I will never willingly write anyone a bad recommendation. If I write one for you, it’s because I believe in your or your music. I’ve sat on enough panels to know that composers do not always admit that they will not write someone a positive recommendation, which I think is bad form. If you cannot advocate for someone, you should decline.
Finally, please note that I only write recommendation letters solicited from institutions and/or given directly to institutions. I don't write letters to keep on file for later use. Here are my reasons why:
Schools (and other institutions) take letters of recommendation much more seriously if they know the candidate didn't see the letter. I know this since I've been on the other side many times.
More personal letters directed at specific institutions and to specific people are taken much more seriously than generic letters.
Writing specific letters guarantees that I can update and/or write a new letter as necessary for each application. This benefits you more than it benefits me since I'll need to re-write it each time, but again, that works in your favor.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading this! Just know that all of this is with the goal of helping you as much as I can, while being able to really spend time to write you the best recommendation possible and utilize my time as efficiently as possible.