Getting started

Composers' Village uses the MIDI file format to exchange music between people. To participate in collaborative composition on the site, you will need to be able to edit MIDI files on your local computer. Without this capability you will be able to participate in the Forums and commenting but will not be able to participate in collaborative compositions. You must also log in to post anything other than comments. And note that MIDI files will not play in your browser without Javascript enabled.

So, the first thing you should do to use the site is to create an account. Composers' Village is a community where everyone is required to have an account with a verified email address in order to fully participate. Email addresses are not shown on the site, though your email address is revealed whenever you contact another community member, so they can reply.

There are two primary types of music content in Composers' Village: Tunes, and Projects and to submit them you need to have an account.

The second thing you need to do is to enter some biographical info for yourself. To do this, log in and choose "My Stuff" from the Menu of links on the left. Then choose "Bio" and click on "Edit" here you can write a blurb about yourself as a composer. Also please click on "My stuff" and then the Edit tab and upload a picture of yourself. This image will represent you in the Village and is important to making the community inviting.

At this point, you should be able to participate in Composers' Village and listen to the Tunes others have submitted and to submit your own musical ideas or full thematic variations for existing Projects as Tunes. If you choose to start your own project, first submit the theme of the project as a Tune, then create a new Project and choose that Tune as the Project's theme.