Interested in commissioning a new piece or learning about the process?
Here are my answers to a few FAQs, to give you a quick overview:
What is “a commissioned piece”?
When you commission a piece, you pay a composer to create a new musical work and have the opportunity to specify some of the aspects of it, such as instrumentation, voicing, length, difficulty level, mood, etc. It’s a piece of music tailored to you and your ensemble’s capabilities and interests.
Why commission a new piece?
Composing on commission has been an important part of composers’ careers for centuries, and there are many masterpieces which may not have been written if it weren’t for patrons and organizations commissioning them. Often people commission new works to celebrate a particular event, anniversary, person, or other special occasion. Others commission a composer simply because they like their music and think it would be meaningful to have a piece written specifically for them that they can give the world premiere performance of.
Whatever your reason, commissioning a new piece is an exciting process. It brings a new work of art to life, written specifically for you, to be enjoyed by countless generations of musicians and audiences in the future. You will also be forever credited in published scores of the work as having commissioned it!
How much does it cost?
While commission fees are always open to negotiation, they do depend on the scope of the project—such as the size of the instrumentation and length of the piece. For instance, a 20-minute piece for wind ensemble (a relatively large group) will cost more than a 5-minute piece for three musicians, but a conversation is always necessary in order to find an agreement that works for both of us. To get a general sense of costs that can act as the starting place for negotiating, check out this Commissioning Fees Calculator from NewMusicUSA.
Standard practice is to pay 50% of the commission fee upon signing an agreement, and 50% upon delivery of the piece, but other payment structures are possible (such as monthly payments).
The first step is always a conversation about the kind of work you might be interested in, so please do not hesitate to contact me!
Are there other ways of funding a commission, other than me/my organization coming up with the whole fee?
Yes! Several different commissioners can agree to split the cost of commissioning a new piece by creating a consortium. All members of the consortium receive the commissioning benefits (premiere performances, sheet music with their names listed on the score) but the cost is shared, and therefore less per group. A consortium can have a few as 2 members or more than 20. These are a “win-win” as the cost for you is lower and I receive more performances of my work. If this sounds like a good plan, then we can work together to find other commissioners to join the consortium.
There are several more creative ways to fund a commission too, such as through community partnerships, grants, individual donations, crowdfunding, or offering something else of value instead of money. I’m open to ideas!
What kinds of groups/individuals normally commission you?
I’ve written commissions for all kinds of performers and ensembles, from professionals to amateurs and students. I love writing for all kinds of instrumentations, including solo, chamber, voice, orchestra, wind band, choir (both sacred and secular) and more! Even if I don’t have any music in my catalog for your exact instrumentation/voicing, please contact me—I’d love to discuss your ideas for a new project!
Past commissions include:
Gliss for 3 Trombones, 3 Electric Guitars, and String Trio by OSSIA New Music
Mottainai for Voice and Piano by the Art Song Collaborative Project
An Appalachian Trail Symphony: New England (Symphony No. 1) for Orchestra by a consortium of 4 New England orchestras
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano by the Colorado State Music Teachers Association
A Blessing of Discomfort for SSA Choir by the Algonquin Regional High School Camerata Singers (with funding from the Northborough Southborough Music Association)
Concertino for Piano and Wind Ensemble and No Interior do Rio de Janeiro for Wind Ensemble by the Northeastern State University Wind Ensemble
Uma Passacalha Brasileira for Wind Ensemble by the Arrowhead Union High School Wind Ensemble
Sound of Cowbell for Piano by pianist Christopher Janwong McKiggan
Rumination and Manifestation for Tenor Saxophone and Piano by saxophonist Allison Dromgold Adams
The Dove in the Ash Grove and Swansong both for cello and piano by cellist Christine Thomas Tsen
“Classical Concerto” for Piano and Chamber Orchestra by the Sounds of Stow
What do I get when I commission a new piece?
A new musical work, tailored specifically to you, that you helped create. You will help add a new piece of music to the repertoire and contribute to keeping music alive as a living and breathing art form. The score for your piece will always carry a commission designation listing the individuals or groups who commissioned it.
The honor of premiering the new work. I know from personal experience that as a performer there’s nothing more exciting than preparing and performing a brand new piece of music that has never been done before. You’ll receive a score (and parts, if applicable) for your piece, as well as the premiere performance rights. This means that you have the sole privilege of presenting the first performance and listing it in your program as a “world premiere.”
Sole access to the music for a designated period of time. For example, you might have six months to perform the piece before it ever gets offered for sale to anyone else. We can also write a clause into the contract that allows you the rights to be the first individual/group to record the work for commercial distribution, if that’s important to you.
Can I commission a piece even if I’m not a performer and I don’t have an ensemble in mind to perform it?
Yes! Say you want to commission a piece as a gift to your spouse. You aren’t an orchestra or a brass quintet, but you still want to commission a new piece. No problem! Let’s talk and come up with a plan.
Can I commission you to do an arrangement?
Yes! I’ve created plenty of arrangements in the past, both arrangements of my own compositions and by other composers. As arranging or orchestrating is typically less work than composing a brand new composition, commission fees are generally lower as well. Not all works lend themselves to being arranged for a given instrumentation, however, but it is certainly possible in many cases. (Note: The music you’d like to have arranged must be in the public domain or you must obtain permission from the copyright holder.)
How long does it take? How far in advance should I be planning?
For most works, it would be ideal to start initial conversations about the piece one year before you need the music delivered. As the amount of time I need to complete a work depends on how busy my schedule is and the scope of the work, larger projects might require more time and small works less. I tend to compose quicker than some composers, but I also don’t like to be rushed as that could result in my not meeting the agreed upon deadline. However, a shorter timeline is often possible, so just ask and I might be able to accommodate you.
After you write the piece, can you Skype/Zoom or visit us to give us insight into the new piece?
Yes! This is one of my favorite parts of the process. I enjoy speaking (virtually or in person) with individuals and groups to answer questions, provide insight into the work, and give feedback in rehearsals. This is also a very rewarding process for the performers (especially students).
Working with a living composer and hearing about the inspiration behind the music, how it was written, and why the composer made various artistic choices is an exciting and meaningful experience for all involved. (Note: This type of work may require an additional fee, though this can be added to the contract at the outset of the project.)
What if I have other questions?
Please feel free to contact me to discuss your ideas. I’m happy to answer your questions!
Ready to commission a new piece?
Submit the inquiry form below to get started.