I doubt anyone but myself is interested in this, but here goes:
The International Music Score Library Project is site and community devoted to taking printed music within the legal public domain and making it available to users for easier dissemination and appreciation. The rationale behind the project is that publishing companies receive a negligible amount of their money from the sale of scores and parts, and a wider distribution of the printed music will lead to a greater appreciation and performance of music listed, which will boost royalty capital for commercial publishers and copyright holders.
As both a performer and composition student, I think this is fucking awesome. I'm releasing the next few pieces I write under the Common Creative License (which is like the GPL, but for printed work), and I've found TONS of new material for both composition study and performance that I don't think I ever would have been exposed to before, if not for this resource. Honestly, I only order music a couple of times a year, and if a piece isn't available through an American publisher (or if it's no longer in print), the piece doesn't exist to me. A project such as this keeps music from lesser-known composers alive, as they no longer rely on the strength of their publisher, or of current editors to continue revising old works for new audiences.
As I said, most readers here probably aren't interested, but I thought I'd fire away. For those of you considering a career in music, read carefully. This shit could very well change your life.
That's all. I'll read flames in a week or two.
