373: Meet Our TopMusicSheets Composer of the Month: Brock Chart

The TopCast: The Official Music Teachers' Podcast

Join us in today's episode as we sit down with Brock Chart, our TopMusicSheets composer of the month. Brock is an accomplished composer, studio owner, and the founder of My-Melodies Publishing in Kansas. Renowned for his versatility across genres such as jazz, pop, educational piano literature, and film music, Brock has made significant contributions to the music world. He was named the 2022 Composer of the Year by the Kansas Federation of Music Clubs and had 15 original compositions selected for the 2024-2028 NFMC Bulletin. Since establishing My-Melodies Publishing, he has released six well-received educational books. Tune in to hear Brock share his journey, insights into the composing process, and valuable advice for aspiring composers.

• Tim praises Brock's music for its accessibility and engaging nature, noting the inclusion of QR codes that provide access to various tracks and tutorial videos.
• Tim highlights the monthly availability of sheet music collections from composers worldwide.
• Brock shares his composing journey, starting with a high school jazz combo piece and progressing to writing for various ensembles, including big bands and jazz groups.
• Importance of playing with others and joining ensembles to enhance musical experience and foster social connections.
• Encouraging creativity in students and the impact of teachers suggesting new opportunities and ambitious projects.
• Challenges and learning experiences of writing for different instruments and ensembles.
• Brock shares his experience of self-publishing after a rejection from a big publisher and learning the process by asking for advice.
• Importance of social media, conferences, and learning from established composers for effective marketing.
• The value of attending conferences for networking and exposure, despite the costs.
• Brock recommends digital routes like Kindle Direct Publishing for low-cost, professional-looking publications.
• His influences, including Dennis Alexander and Catherine Rollin, and the impact of listening to student feedback on his compositions.
• He encourages aspiring composers to try their pieces with students and consider digital publishing options.
• Brock expresses his positive experience working with Tim's team and learning from the process.

Guest Links Mentioned

• Brock Chart Website
• Brock Chart Facebook Page
• Brock Chart Instagram Page

Links Mentioned

• Find out more about TopMusicSheets here
• Subscribe to TopMusic YouTube channel
• TopMusicSheets Volume 51 (Brock Chart) Playthrough video

Today’s Guest

Brock Chart is a composer, studio owner, and founder of My-Melodies Publishing in Kansas. He composes in a variety of genres and mediums including jazz, pop, educational piano literature, and film music. He was the 2022 Composer of the Year by the Kansas Federation of Music Clubs, and had 15 original compositions selected for the 2024-2028 NFMC Bulletin.

Brock has been awarded two Student Music Awards in DownBeat magazine for composition in both large-ensemble and small-group writing. In 2019, he composed an original score for the Museum of Modern Art’s short film How to See, which was listed in the British Film Institute’s list of the “Best Video Essays of 2019.” Since founding My-Melodies Publishing, Brock has composed and published six books in his educational series: Five-Finger Jazz, Five-Finger Pop and Five-Finger Rock. The books received great reviews from pedagogues in publications like American Music Teacher Magazine and Piano Magazine.

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