I was rejected from my own music competition

[@RyanLeach]

I already wrote this in the description put people seem to have missed it. If I share the track it won't be until after the competition deadline closes.

[@Marijnzor]

I haven't finished my entry yet. But now when I don't make it into the second round at least I can tell myself "well, the host didn't either"

[@musiclad290]

😂

[@TigerRichards]

This is perfect. If your goal was to inspire and encourage, then you could not have planned this better.

[@brettclarinmusic]

This video confirms what I've known all along from watching your vids - you're a really nice, humble and honest person 😊 You sharing this is such a great lesson. Oh, share and breakdown that track!!!

[@LiamRaitorComposer]

Indeed !

[@jeef5222]

What a humble and encouraging act. You're a great teacher Ryan.

[@JoshuaBurniece]

I feel like it’d be so interesting to have either you or the person who passed your track do a “What Would Have Made This A Finalist Track” analysis video. I’m sure we’d all love to hear what you came up with.

[@HomiSomi]

This came into my feed the day that I got rejected from an opera commission, having made it to the final 3 composers. Thanks Ryan. I'm still upset, but it's good to know really talented composers get rejected too. And I count you as one of those, despite what you say in the video!

[@bismarckluna]

This advice is great for any area of your life. The most successful people also get rejected, A LOT. Ravel's String Quartet is considered one of the best ever written, yet it was rejected by both the Paris Conservatory and the Prix de Rome competition. You can't base your value as person out of rejections, just keep showing up and always give your best.

[@perevicco]

This act right here is huge and inspiring, and it goes beyond music. Rejection is hard...arts, careers ..everywhere, people feel dejected when rejected, and it's nice to hear such an encouraging example.

[@DanKonieczka]

Thanks for sharing, it's a great reminder that even professionals have that struggle. It'd be great to hear the track and perhaps a breakdown of where it could be stronger.

[@JeanJacquesCoetzee]

Thanks for sharing your experience and for running this competition. I’m appreciative just for having had the opportunity to take part, knowing that the judges would have a tough job working through so many entries.

[@ianlarsen3920]

Thank you, Ryan. I think we all need that reminder from time to time. Back during the July 2022 composing competition, I felt really confident about my submission and was devastated when I found out I wasn't a finalist. It was already a not-so-great period of my life, and my self-esteem was fragile enough that I based my value as a musician on the results of that composing competition. Thankfully, I've since learned from that, participated in a couple other competitions since then, and didn't make the finalists on each of them with a shrug and a smile. Each of them is a piece of music I'm still proud of, and now I have more music to build off! There is no losing with these competitions. Either you win, or you win another way.

[@funma2353]

Good reminder for all of us. What other competitions did you take part in? I'm keen to find more opportunities.

[@ianlarsen3920]

Just the October 2022 one and the April 2023 one, still from the 12 Story competitions.

[@JonasM0r.]

Wow respect to you for being so Open and doing this Video.

[@MichaelJohnson-composer]

This is why I like you, Ryan. Your humility is so inspiring. Good luck to all the entrants! BUT! It if helps you feel better, Charlie Chaplin once entered a Charlie Chaplin look a like contest, and he came in third!

[@AlexKurilovMusic]

Yeah I generally don't expect to get into any later rounds if I participate. No more than I anticipate winning a lottery. It's more like an opportunity to make music inspired together by one image or prompt, with added fun of potentially winning. But still thanks for making this video, because it is indeed very encouraging in a way, because truly with so many entries it's not going to be very objective and it's a great reminder to not take these competitions personally.

[@shanonkiyoshi4784]

This post was extraordinarily BRAVE and insightful. You NEVER had to let anyone know this happened -- especially since you entered under an ALIAS. May I simply say THANK YOU, both for your bravery & integrity. These are RARE commodities on KZbin. I've always like you & your videos before, but I see you in a different light now, and may I say that light looks GOOD on you. Namaste 😎👍

[@ahmadrezaghasemian]

This was such an inspiring video! I think this video can help many people overcome that self-doubting phase and actually write something instead of remaining stuck in the "oh I'll probabely get rejected" or "what if I get rejected" state. Myself included! Thank you for this :)

[@thedeafmusician]

I would love to hear it!

[@JollyOliW]

This has got to be one of the best, most useful videos on this channel. Good job.

[@matthewjamestaylor]

Thank you for this video. You are sincerely a class act. Cheers.

[@ShaneValle]

Thank you for this, Ryan! I've had a recently slew of rejections from competitions and calls for scores for multiple things I've written and it's hard to make sense of the trend in a way that's encouraging or motivating-but I think you've mostly managed to make lemonade from lemons here and I really appreciate the perspective. It's given me bit more energy to keep at it. Invaluable. Thank you!

[@farnaztabatabaee]

It's really brave of you to post such a video!Thank you for being so honest & inspiring:)

[@aarons1972]

Thank you for this! I think it is likely that I stopped participating in these contests because I get upset when I don't at least place, but this actually helps me to get back on it. Looking forward to hearing your rejection, Ryan!

[@rowegardner9673]

I respect this video SO much! Thanks for the encouraging words. Needed them today.

[@davidhepworthmusic]

Rejection feels bad. Learning to cope with it takes practice and often outside guidance. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@JasonSeymore]

I absolutely love the fact that A) you came out and exposed a very real truth in the world of music; B) you were willing to be vulnerable and share it with us and, C) you reminded us that regardless of what anyone else says of thinks...at the end of the day, writing music is meant to be for the writer first and foremost. Sometimes, we share our music with a general audience and SOMETIMES they can relate. When that happens, it's magical. But, more often than not...that is not what happens. And you know what? That's OK! I've been struggling over the last year to break away from the negative voices in my head about being 'good enough' or 'capable'. On top of this challenge, being able to find the time and space to compose while trying to maintain a fulltime corporate job is...well, it SUCKS! Watching this gives me great hope in my future as a musician and composer. Thank you, Ryan for bringing the real. 🙌🏼

[@eosborne6495]

I’ve been struggling with this contest. I wrote a few potential themes early in the month and didn’t like any of them and got sidetracked by other compositions. Capturing both romance and cyberpunk is a weird thematic balancing act!

[@Manas-co8wl]

Ngl this was actually brave. Thank you for this, taught us a thing or two about how to handle rejections and how it happens to everyone

[@carmel2581]

Such humility and bravery you have to have made such a video. All my respect. I’ll definitely remember this video as I continue in my musical life, this was super interesting.

[@EtheRenard]

In a competition, there's only one winner. The fact that you participate makes you part of a community that will help you to evolve, if you're open to!

[@joenuevo]

Hey man, this is an amazing thing you've done here. I really appreciate you being humble and sharing this. I've learned so much from you since I discovered your channel, but this lesson is incredible.

[@anatomicallymodernhuman5175]

❤ So cool that you turned the loss into a public lesson!

[@ZapphireWulff]

Very nice of you to share this and give some hope and inspiration to all the people this may concern, which is, like you said, all people in this branch of life! Even the best get rejected, sometimes even after they already "made it" as an artist/composer/music, just because it wasn't exactly what the producer/reviewer/director wanted. But another one might love your work, you just have to keep going and find the love in trying! 💜 (I think I'm speaking to myself, but I guess I'm also a part of 'everyone', so that shouldn't come as a surprise) 😄

[@joeldcanfield_spinhead]

This kind of information is extremely helpful to beginning (and not so much) artists. For me, knowing that this or that supergroup, these three famous actors, all got rejected, doesn't help me much. Knowing that you were passed over by people following YOUR lead is so helpful: there are ALWAYS factors besides the quality of our work and our own moral character (which seems to be the first place a rejected artist goes: I'M a loser, not MY ART lost.)

[@volatilisporcus3707]

Just the right amount of encouragement I need, thx!

[@paulmdevenney]

All I heard is that I'm at the same tier as Ryan 👍👍

[@bertlochsinspirationforimp4902]

Ah, I feel for you. You'll get there eventually, don't give up........hahahaha! I find it very brave that you'ld do this. I always enjoy your insightful video's, keep 'm coming!

[@joeyblogsy]

The same sorts of issues occur in performing competitions and in the conservatoire system. A lot of subjectivity and misconduct (jealousy/politics/favouritism, etc.) involved. Student’s often forget just how much one can continue to improve as an independent adult after completing uni through their thirties, forties and even fifties. I know of many examples of people who went on to do amazing things with their music despite not reaching their full potential at uni. It’s all about perspective and hard work/motivation. Don’t let the past define you ~ you’re only as good as your last performance!

[@danielreeves8269]

❤, Legend! Thanks Ryan

[@vizzwizz]

nice to have talked about it, but sharing the track would be 💯

[@monoflow]

This is a great message

[@udderhippo]

I'm more surprised there's no links to the competition channel in the video or channel descriptions.

[@aarons1972]

This was particularly nice to revisit after not even an honourable mention...AGAIN. 😂 Thanks, Ryan.

[@Doty6String]

Also i’ll mention that, when your track (and mine) don’t make the finals we still have a track we can use / recycle / revamp / expand upon….etc for use later on. It’s still “in the bank” so to speak. You never know.

[@rhettohlerking2446]

I want to hear it now

[@cfthompson]

Love this video!

[@thechampestofthemall]

Chaplin came 3rd at a Chaplin look-a-like contest.. so yeah life is mostly random

[@javierestevez9680]

Every time I study pieces by artists like John Powell, Joe Hisaishi, or any World of Warcraft soundtrack, and analyze what I compose harmonically, it depresses me. Lately, I think it’s very difficult for me to compose something with the quality I want, having such a high reference. When i start was easy a few chords and get the thing moving =(

[@jackaguirre8576]

Soo... Can we hear it? :p

[@alexchristodoulou]

I just came here to console myself for not making not even to the mentions! 😆

[@jimboflex6194]

Bravo. Thank you.

[@michaelsheard4522]

So are you going to post a video with your entry, so we can hear what it was?

[@kyle-silver]

Maybe you could have something like a “second chances” bracket where you spotlight a piece that didn’t make the cut. Maybe one judge really liked it but the others disagreed. Or maybe it’s just a random contestant. Food for thought. In the one challenge where I competed I also fell at the first hurdle, but I’m still proud of what I did

[@justanotherday5044]

I'd like to listen to that song.

[@musiclore]

Thank you for sharing, can we still hear it after the competition closes? :)

[@johnhazlett3711]

I enjoy these competitions because of the inspiration I get. But sometimes there needs to be a happy medium. How can we learn and grow if we don't even know why it's rejected? Most of us are mature enough to take constructive criticism.

[@nightshockplayz5894]

Music is subjective. The thing about critiquing is simple: If you are trying to find something wrong with it, you eventually will (as a word of advice to judges, etc). There is no such thing as a perfect piece of music, which is why what matters is you learn from your music and keep striving to improve your art. In the context of these competitions, many finalists and even winners were wonderful, but there are also some winners that left me like, "How did this person even get so far? This music is lame/boring/awkward." Case in point. Good music can always be rejected and lackluster music can always be loved.

[@aaronTmusic-250]

At the end of the day, just keep making music. Don't get hung up looking for approval in others, that takes precious time away from your music!

[@BlurredTrees]

Cool video!

[@dakotaphillips6853]

Where is the contest page?

[@dakotaphillips6853]

Found it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2WyZIelps97j80si=cYAPGltNbceIGik-

[@dakotaphillips6853]

Found it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2WyZIelps97j80si=cYAPGltNbceIGik-

[@rafaelhernandez5550]

For me your are a great compouser and educator. They reject Andrea Bochelly ( Italian Singer).

[@jwhite1016aol]

Did you do a freestyle rap verse with a stock beat?

[@RyanLeach]

I’ve been found out

[@mlvogh]

❤

[@arandombard1197]

If 100 talented people compete, 99 must fail. That does not mean they are failures. Unless you're John Williams, there is always somebody better than you.

[@pedrocatoira2695]

💖

[@corrosive135]

Ouch. If you didnt make it, there's not much hope for me.

[@KleineQuinte]

Feel bad for you… 😁 I would however ask how serious you and your team take the term “orchestral piece”, because I heard many examples for the January 2024 competition with sounds that are impossible to create in real life with a real orchestra… So… Does your team REJECT these entries right away?

[@RyanLeach]

Orchestral piece is not a requirement

[@KleineQuinte]

@@RyanLeach Thx. I stand corrected, you said “Instrumental piece”. It´s just my classical background then, that I heard that. Anyhow, I always challenge myself to write something that can be played by musicians someday…

[@KleineQuinte]

...aaand many thx for the inspiration your channel awakened in me.

[@Ben-rz9cf]

Is it too late to join?

[@RyanLeach]

Deadline is Jan 31st! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2WyZIelps97j80si=RZxo7_tx3XcpUrb_

[@paydirtcoaching]

You’re not gonna share it? Why not?

[@JonasM0r.]

He is thinking about it after the Deadline ist finished. He also wrote it in the description.

[@pedrocatoira2695]

Whaaaaaaat

[@nealfiggy]

Dolly Parton lost a Dolly Parton look alike contest lol

[@Roescoe]

Not only did you have the guts to share your track failing you shared it with your wife and got another critique. Haha that takes some guts. Anyhow I'm sure you'll double your efforts.

[@rubenmolino1480]

Competencies are useless...and you know it well, master...so as if jumping back a century, we find jurors so competent that surely none of them could pass a contrapuntal exam of a quintet of brass,...in 8 bars...and on top of that they give themselves the luxury of curtailing a musical capacity,, as if creation were a problem of styles...PATHETIC!!!