Joseph Sowa
@josephsowa.bsky.social
I give composers the tools to compose better, work faster, and reach larger audiences | PhD in Comp + Theory | Founder, Wizarding School for Composers
Some people think the key to writing great music is mastering theory and techniques.
Others think it's about pushing boundaries.
Still others insist it cannot be taught.
But the truth is, memorable music—the kind that gives listeners goosebumps—comes from mastering these 4 elements:
Others think it's about pushing boundaries.
Still others insist it cannot be taught.
But the truth is, memorable music—the kind that gives listeners goosebumps—comes from mastering these 4 elements:
April 18, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Some people think the key to writing great music is mastering theory and techniques.
Others think it's about pushing boundaries.
Still others insist it cannot be taught.
But the truth is, memorable music—the kind that gives listeners goosebumps—comes from mastering these 4 elements:
Others think it's about pushing boundaries.
Still others insist it cannot be taught.
But the truth is, memorable music—the kind that gives listeners goosebumps—comes from mastering these 4 elements:
Now, this Sunday, the piece now makes its European debut—in its new concert band transcription—on April 13, 2025, in Villaz-Saint-Pierre, Switzerland, performed by La Concordia de Fribourg under Maestro Stéphane Delley's direction.
April 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Now, this Sunday, the piece now makes its European debut—in its new concert band transcription—on April 13, 2025, in Villaz-Saint-Pierre, Switzerland, performed by La Concordia de Fribourg under Maestro Stéphane Delley's direction.
The final Calvin and Hobbes cartoon finds our heroes sledding across freshly fallen snow.
"It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy... Let's go exploring," Calvin says.
"It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy... Let's go exploring," Calvin says.
April 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The final Calvin and Hobbes cartoon finds our heroes sledding across freshly fallen snow.
"It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy... Let's go exploring," Calvin says.
"It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy... Let's go exploring," Calvin says.
“I write for myself.” But is that integrity, defiance, or fear in disguise? 🤔
If you really wrote just for yourself, no one would hear your music.
So what do you mean when you say it? Would love to hear your take! 👇
If you really wrote just for yourself, no one would hear your music.
So what do you mean when you say it? Would love to hear your take! 👇
March 31, 2025 at 3:42 PM
“I write for myself.” But is that integrity, defiance, or fear in disguise? 🤔
If you really wrote just for yourself, no one would hear your music.
So what do you mean when you say it? Would love to hear your take! 👇
If you really wrote just for yourself, no one would hear your music.
So what do you mean when you say it? Would love to hear your take! 👇
Even advanced composers get stuck for 4 key reasons—and they're not all about lack of inspiration.
Over the years I've observed these common relationship, skill, process and mindset barriers that block creative success.
What's your biggest creative obstacle? Reply below!
Over the years I've observed these common relationship, skill, process and mindset barriers that block creative success.
What's your biggest creative obstacle? Reply below!
March 28, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Even advanced composers get stuck for 4 key reasons—and they're not all about lack of inspiration.
Over the years I've observed these common relationship, skill, process and mindset barriers that block creative success.
What's your biggest creative obstacle? Reply below!
Over the years I've observed these common relationship, skill, process and mindset barriers that block creative success.
What's your biggest creative obstacle? Reply below!
"You don't need a system." Five words that transformed my approach to composition. Here's why this simple advice from my doctoral advisor freed me from overthinking and helped me trust my ears. #ComposerLife #MusicEducation #CreativeProcess
March 27, 2025 at 10:48 PM
"You don't need a system." Five words that transformed my approach to composition. Here's why this simple advice from my doctoral advisor freed me from overthinking and helped me trust my ears. #ComposerLife #MusicEducation #CreativeProcess
Most composers fail because they obsess over outcomes instead of trusting the process.
After teaching hundreds of composers, I've noticed these common patterns hold them back.
After teaching hundreds of composers, I've noticed these common patterns hold them back.
March 26, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Most composers fail because they obsess over outcomes instead of trusting the process.
After teaching hundreds of composers, I've noticed these common patterns hold them back.
After teaching hundreds of composers, I've noticed these common patterns hold them back.
Despite years of formal music education, harmony remained elusive until I discovered partimenti—keyboard exercises from the old Italian conservatories. Here's how these historical teaching methods filled the gaps my degrees couldn't and changed how I compose and teach.
March 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Despite years of formal music education, harmony remained elusive until I discovered partimenti—keyboard exercises from the old Italian conservatories. Here's how these historical teaching methods filled the gaps my degrees couldn't and changed how I compose and teach.
Three university degrees later, I still love learning about music composition.
University programs don't teach composers everything they need to know to succeed. Here are my top 3 resources for filling those critical gaps:
University programs don't teach composers everything they need to know to succeed. Here are my top 3 resources for filling those critical gaps:
March 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Three university degrees later, I still love learning about music composition.
University programs don't teach composers everything they need to know to succeed. Here are my top 3 resources for filling those critical gaps:
University programs don't teach composers everything they need to know to succeed. Here are my top 3 resources for filling those critical gaps:
Composing shouldn't feel like a mystery—or a grind.
After 20+ years of composing & teaching, I've realized we often focus on the wrong challenges. These 3 questions have reshaped how I think about music, creativity, and why we write in the first place. 👇
Which of these resonates most with you?
After 20+ years of composing & teaching, I've realized we often focus on the wrong challenges. These 3 questions have reshaped how I think about music, creativity, and why we write in the first place. 👇
Which of these resonates most with you?
March 21, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Composing shouldn't feel like a mystery—or a grind.
After 20+ years of composing & teaching, I've realized we often focus on the wrong challenges. These 3 questions have reshaped how I think about music, creativity, and why we write in the first place. 👇
Which of these resonates most with you?
After 20+ years of composing & teaching, I've realized we often focus on the wrong challenges. These 3 questions have reshaped how I think about music, creativity, and why we write in the first place. 👇
Which of these resonates most with you?
I recently joined Dickie Bush & Nicolas Cole's course, Ship 30 for 30.
Here why.
Here why.
March 20, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I recently joined Dickie Bush & Nicolas Cole's course, Ship 30 for 30.
Here why.
Here why.