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I hope to be a minister at a church someday and compose my music on the side. As a minister of worship, I could have an influence on the musical development of the younger church goers who often participate in leading worship and direct their creative potential towards more varied possibilities (Lord knows we've had enough of the same in the church) and providing them an outlet for it among friends and fellow Christians. One of my bigger goals is to help start broadening the musical atmosphere within the worship setting, which all too often now is reduced only to lyrical cliches and basic rock/pop arrangements. I think Christian musicians should be seeking to glorify God through more than just weekly pop pastiche sing-a-long festivals. This would include exposing the congregation to both older and contemporary pieces of worship music (in moderation, of course) and drawing their attention to the musical accomplishments of the youth and college ministry (as well as the older folks who do stuff). So hopefully that is where I'll be in the future. I also wouldn't mind being a hot air balloon salesman, but what does that have to do with composing? :P

I would like to become a teacher at a local university. Then, while teaching in some area (preferably composition), I would like to start a publishing company here, as we don't have any (in Brazil, it's almost impossible to find scores to buy). With this company, I want to help spreading other local composer's works (as well as mine, sure!). Then, maybe I can create some awards in publishments. The whole idea is to try to make the compositional world here grow up. With this, more opportunities will eventually appear, such as live performances, CDs, invitations etc.

I hope to go back in time and write all of Wagner's operas before he does, thereby securing his fame for myself.

I really thought you were talking about me at first...

The important thing about choral composing is to know the choir you are writing for. Some choirs have good basses, some of them don't. If you don't have a specific choir in mind, try to compose in ranges most of the more or less quality choir feel comfortable. Don't forget about breathing! Don't use basses only in low registers, as well as sopranos only in high registers. Be careful about dynamics and try to use the text as appropriate as possible.

It's said that Ives was foreshadowing the decade of the 60s during Mahler and Debussy's heyday. This might be why I find him so puzzling - but nevertheless worthy of much more than a single listen.

@Thatguy: That would be only because I'm still not signed up.

Nice, now queue the trash talk. P.S. Ya'll suckas goin down