Commissions
Commissioning a New Work
Commissioning a new work is an innovative way that you can contribute to the body of new music and connect with a living, working composer. The challenge of planning and interpreting a new work will be memorable for all involved. Programming newly commissioned works will also create a unique experience for your audience.
What does it cost? Many factors contribute to the cost of commissioning a new work including creative interest, voicing and instrumentation, duration, and your organization’s budget. After gathering this information from you and reviewing what you are looking to accomplish through the commission, I will be able to provide an estimate which can then be further discussed. Consider combining with other choirs to commission a new work as a consortium.
How are the details decided? The details will be determined collaboratively. The commissioning party, the conductor, the composer, the lyricist (if using original texts), and sometimes the performers should all be part of the planning process. I want all involved to feel they contributed to the creation of the new work.
What is the time frame? The time required to compose a new work depends on the scale of the work, whether texts are pre-determined or are newly written, and my availability. For large-scale works, contacting me about a year in advance is recommended. Smaller scale works may be possible with less time depending on my current work-load.
How do you choose the text? Deciding on a text can be very personal. If the commissioning party has a particular text in mind, I will consider it carefully to determine whether it will work well set to music. Copyright permissions must be considered and obtained before any music is written. Consider involving a poet/lyricist to write a new text for your project to create a truly original work.
How do we get started?
Contact me! Send an email expressing your interest and we will set up a meeting to discuss possible projects. This meeting is non-binding and an opportunity to ask all your questions. I look forward to talking with you!
Past Commissions
And I Shall Sing
Middlebury College Choir, Jeff Buettner, Director - in honor of composition professor Su Lian Tan
The Light of the Lord
La Cañada Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, Jack Lantz, Director
Songs of Gold
Vermont Choral Union, Jeff Rehbach, Director - 50th anniversary concert
Fair Phyllis
The Golden Bridge, Suzi Digby, Director
The Deceiver
The Seraphim Singers, Jennifer Lester, Director
Kindness
Vox Femina of Los Angeles, Iris Levine, Director - Commissioned by Mary Read in honor of her wife Liz Cvikel
Spinning Through the Sky
The Bivins Elementary Honor Choir, Karen Takacs, Director
Gichigami
Denver Women’s Choir, Mark Zwilling, Director
‘Tis You That Are The Music
Los Angeles Master Chorale Chamber Singers, Lesley Leighton, Director
Discovery
The Esoterics, Eric Banks, Director
Mornings With You
Melodia Women’s Choir, Cynthia Powell, Director
Three Songs of Life
Apollo Men’s Choir of USC, Chris Eanes, Director