Panel members of the American Society of Composers Authors & Publishers or ASCAP are looking for quantity not quality.
James Richens, a University of Memphis music professor, has written compositions that have been performed 40 times, which has earned him an ASCAPLU$ Standard Award for composition.
“I’ve gotten an award for the last 19 (consecutive) years,” Richens said. “I’m very happy.”
Richens is not the only U of M faculty member to have received the ASCAPLU$ Standard Award, which gives cash based on the amount of original work composed and performed. Music professor Kamran Ince and retired emeritus professor Shirley McRae were also awarded for the amount of works published and performed.
ASCAP is the oldest and largest performing rights organization operated by songwriters, publishers and composers, Richens said.
The organization protects artists’ copyrighted works and grants permission to people who want to perform or use the copyrighted material publicly.
“Anyone who uses music for a commercial purpose must pay a licensing fee to ASCAP,” Richens said.
He has taught at The U of M for 35 years. He has been with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for 30 years and is the in-residence composer and arranger.
“A Joyful Noise,” Richens’ latest composition, was premiered at The Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s 50th anniversary celebration Sept. 21-23.
The 15-minute composition, which Richens describes as “a real celebration piece,” was drafted in January and finished in August.
Richens said he writes something every day, which explains why he is rarely a victim of writers’ block.
“The real secret is you have to keep at (writing) and stay consistent,” Richens said. “Activity is the key note.”
