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The Canadian Music Centre library of Canadian scores contains over 1200 titles, most of which have enjoyed just a single performance. In a day when a composer is fortunate to have an orchestral work performed even once, one young Canadian works hard to promote his work, and is finding success with his approach.
"Nobody's going to promote your work like you will," says Nick Peros, the Mississauga-based composer of Northern Lights, an orchestral piece which can also be performed as a modern dance ballet. It is not a commissioned work; Peroswho apart from two years of studies at the Royal Conservatory - is largely self-taught, prefers to write a score and then go out and sell it. For Northern Lights, he envisioned a musical expression of the diversity of cultures which Canada blends into a harmonious whole.
When he takes off his composer's hat, the twenty-something Peros assumes a business-like attitude, using marketing techniques that would do any salesman proud. "I'm an entrepreneurial kind of guy with a lot of confidence," says Peros energetically. "I'm not afraid to get out there and be aggressive." On the phone or in person there's a aura of confidence and positive thinking. His methods seem to be working; Peros has drummed up considerable interest in Northern Lights and several performances have taken place to date. Symphony Hamilton and conductor Clyde Mitchell premiered the work in 1994. Symphony New Brunswick performed the piece while on a Maritime tour last Fall and Symphony Nova Scotia has shown interest for next season. The Regina Symphony plans to perform Northern Lights this coming...