What is Swan-Cross, Ltd. today?

Swan-Cross, Ltd. is really two things today:

It is primarily a new kind of music publishing and marketing venture.

Not that others aren't doing these kinds of things, but few are attempting to do it in the kinds of markets I hope to impact.

A secondary function is the independent contracting and consulting in the field of technical communication and information development.

For more information, see that part of the website.

Who is Swan-Cross, Ltd.?

The honest truth is that, currently, Swan-Cross is just me, Chuck Beck, the owner and founder.

But I hope to see that change someday. I hope to attract other composers who share the vision and who too offer a more distinctive and different kind of music, other composers who have also developed a unique voice and style and who also have been frustrated in their attempts for recognition by the relatively closed world of music publishing and performance.

In short, Swan-Cross is the vehicle for a vision I have that we can one day offer a viable alternative to the traditional music publishing houses, both in terms of how we market and sell our music and in terms of the kinds of music we offer.

Why am I doing this?

The world of music has become a big, wide open space in recent years. There are more styles and artists out there than ever before in the history of mankind.

And yet I know from personal experience that it is also harder than ever before to find an audience and a market. This is partly because the world of music has become so big and wide open. There are an incredible number of niches and it is incredibly difficult to connect with that potential audience. Those of you who are composers know that what I say is true.

But it is also partly because many of the traditional publishing and marketing firms pretty much have a stranglehold on what makes it into the marketplace to begin with. I can't tell you how many times I have been told by one publisher and another that they think my music is really good, and that it deserves to be published—BUT they won't publish it simply because it does not fit some predefined pigeonhole they are seeking to fill. It does not fit into some prefabricated shape that defines what they tend to think is marketable.

And the result is that I am disappointed by my inability to find a publisher who will give my music a chance. Worse, I stand by and look on in dismay and disbelief at the quality of much of what is getting published today (especially in the world of sacred choral music). And I commiserate with many choir directors I know who lament the "dumbing down" that is affecting the music publishing market.

Sour grapes, you say?

Maybe.

Or maybe it is just my own stubborn pride that makes me refuse to compromise my standards and to still the voice within.

Or maybe, just maybe, I am doing my best to be faithful to Him who has called me to be his own and to serve Him in the way He calls me to. And maybe He is calling me to do this, and to offer a new and different alternative.

Time will tell.