Whether it's for local concert promotions, touring overseas, or just posting on your website, a well-constructed press kit can be an invaluable tool for raising the profile of your ensemble. In our new eBook “Creating the Perfect Press Kit for Your Ensemble”, we discuss how to choose the sample repertoire, take engaging photos, create press releases and more.
Things to Keep in Mind
When creating a list of your ensemble’s sample repertoire, you always want to stay true to your core style. Pick your ensemble’s most “tried and true” pieces.
Pieces that have earned awards are always a plus!
Choose a good mix of popular and classical songs—those that people know and those that are less known.
If you’re touring overseas, put an American piece or two in the mix—your audiences will appreciate it.
Ways to Organize Your Repertoire
By composer
By time period
By style
By language
By country/region
By show (theatre, opera, etc.)
List Items for Touring Repertoire Should Include…
Title (in sung language and original language, if applicable)
Movements (if applicable)
Composer
Composer life in years (example: 1685–1750)
Approximate timings per piece
Formatting Style Examples
Sample 1:
Sacred Approx. Timing
Abide With Me arr. Moses Hogan 4
Songs of War and Remembrance
Flanders Fields McCrae/Aitken 4
Sample 2:
Mo Li Hua arranged by Wayland Rogers (China) 3
Sample 3:
Symphony #3……………Mendelssohn
Andante con moto — Allegro un poco agitato (A minor)
Vivace non troppo (F major)
Adagio (A major)
Allegro vivacissimo — Allegro maestoso assai (A minor → A major)
Top 3 Tips
Showcase your best pieces
Choose mix of sacred and secular
When touring overseas, check repertoire with venue and add an American piece or two in the mix
View our other articles in the Backstage Blog's Press Kit series:
