Music faculty receives ASCAP Plus Award

Josh Gottry with the cajon

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) selected Joshua Gottry as an ASCAP Plus Award recipient for his music composition and works performed in 2013. Gottry first received an ASCAP Young Composer Award in 1995 and has been selected every year since 2001 for the ASCAP Plus Award. The awards program provides cash and recognition to writers who create music with a value beyond the scope of performance surveyed by ASCAP. The main focus is on original pieces by the artist with weight given to recent performances.

Gottry’s 2013 submission included three pieces written for the cajon titled “Box Tops,” “Pocket Full of Rocks” and a duet entitled “Slide Rule” that was composed with a former student. Also included were performances of Gottry’s compositions including the cajon duet and a marimba quartet performed at the 2012 Percussive Arts Society International Convention, an ensemble performance by the Arizona School for the Arts at the downtown Phoenix "First Friday" arts nights, and a conga trio performed as part of the Eastman School of Music Community School Summer Music program.

“Composing is not a huge money maker,” said Gottry. “When I have the luxury of a little extra time, I compose, mostly because I want to notate a piece that I have in my head.” It takes approximately two years for a composition to be written, performed, published to his library and to receive a royalty, according to Gottry who spends hours each month tracking where his pieces are performed. “The ASCAP Plus Award encourages me to continue the work that I’m doing.”

Gottry serves as adjunct music faculty for Chandler-Gilbert Community College, teaching courses in percussion, music theory and composition, and music humanities. When not teaching, he works with percussion ensembles and private percussion students at all grade levels as a clinician and within his private lesson studio. He composes as many as five new pieces each year. As director of CGCC’s percussion ensemble, many of his compositions have been premiered in CGCC ensemble performances.