Think back to the last time you made a book. Were you a kid, using construction paper for the cover and yarn to hold it all together? Or have you noticed how increasingly easy and affordable it is, thanks to improvements in print-on-demand technology, to make your own books that look just like "real" books at the bookstore?
I've designed a few books using software from the company Blurb and have been pleased with the results it printed and shipped to me. Depending on how much creative license you desire, it can still take a fair amount of time to design a book (sticking to templates makes it faster). But the possibilities, the possibilities! They are delightfully endless — and if you think others might be interested, you can put your books on sale to the public.
Classical music lovers are among those putting their passion on the page — and you can too. Here are some examples from Blurb. Other sites such as CreateSpace, FiftyThree, and Shutterfly also allow you to create custom books; which service is right for you depends on your budget and the nature of your project.
Musical favorites
If you're passionate about a particular composer, you could create a book dedicated to him or her, with contents such as biographical information, timelines, score excerpts, and personal reflections. A more grab-bag type of favorites book could be divided into sections of your favorite musical works, favorite instruments, favorite concert experiences, etc.
Emile Labrousse of South Carolina, for example, published a journal of his travel "celebrating Bach from Eisenach to Leipzig." Another example: Polina Zinoviev wrote a German-language children's book about The Magic Flute.
Music and my community
Documenting the music-making in your community, with a broad focus or a narrower one on a certain ensemble or time period, is a fantastic application of print-on-demand capabilities, I think. You might look for guidance at the Blurb title 75 Years of Music: The Bands of Clinton County, New York. "Over 400 photos were provided by band members, relatives, and the fans of the bands," according to the book's description.
Music and my family
Content for this type of book could include profiles and interviews of musicians in your immediate and extended family, memories about childhood recitals, and photos and descriptions of music-related gifts (like the keyboard your brother got for Christmas in the sixth grade).
A book along these lines is Music and Mario, "an autobiography of the life and times of Mario Monti, as told by Mario Monti and penned by his assistants, his wife, Josephine, and his daughter, Janice." The book is a way for the family and friends of this music-loving renaissance man ("he has been a logger, US Army draftee and veteran, husband, father, salesman, hunter, fisherman, and retirement as a gardener, beekeeper, mushroomer, and traveler") to document and celebrate his life and accomplishments.
Musical object collections
A book about a collection probably works best as a photo book, though you could include plenty of text to accompany the photos if you wanted to. The Chicago-based musical instrument retailer Andy's Music, for example, created a book called Andy's Instruments: Collection and Exhibit, with photos from its 2010 exhibit at the Chicago World Music Festival.
In addition to instruments, some objects that might be worth preserving in a book are accessories, sheet music, and recordings. If you've inherited boxes of crumbling sheet music from a relative or music teacher, for instance, digitally scanning some of the music and creating a book from the scans is a great way to preserve that cultural inheritance. Or perhaps you know someone who owns a bunch of lamps made out of instruments, like clarinets and accordions. (You know the kind of lamp I mean.) If anyone out there collects instrument lamps, I would be very interested in purchasing a book about them — or designing that book myself.
Gwendolyn Hoberg is a classical musician and the owner of the editing and writing business Content & Contour. She lives in Moorhead, plays with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, and writes the Little Mouse fitness blog. She is also a co-author of The Walk Across North Dakota.
Interested in writing about classical music for Classical MPR? Have a story about classical music to share? We want to hear from you!
Love the music?
Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.
Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.
YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.
