Why ‘Story is King’ and What that Means for Musicians

In the book “Creativity, Inc.” Ed Catmull explains that the phrase “story is king” was one of the key things that Pixar learned after making the film “Toy Story 2.”  They realized that a great story was the most important element of making a great film – not the flashiest animation or effects, not the humor.  He also talks about not compromising on the quality of the story.  This is important for musicians for at least two reasons. #1 – If story is the key element to a film, then the music itself is the key element to a concert, recording, or other musical project.  So, the music itself is king and must be approached with the highest level of quality and excellence.  #2 – A great story can be used outside of films, even in classical music concerts and projects.  People do love great stories – they resonate with us, inspire us, and move us.  So think of ways to incorporate ‘story’ into your projects, whether that is using stories to speak to audiences about yourself and the music you are performing, or when pitching a potential project, speaking with possible donors, etc.  Story is King.