The Commissioning Project

The Commissioning Project is an ongoing collaborative effort to develop and introduce new music to school music programs nationwide. While ensemble directors are looking often for new works for their bands to perform, few directors actually commission new works directly from the composer. The Commissioning Project helps drive down the prohibitive cost of commissioning by distributing among several commissioners the total dollar amount needed for a new work.

I generally charge $2,000-$5,000 for a new large ensemble work. If four people commission a new work, the price drops down to as low as $500 each. If ten people commission a new work, the price drops to as low as $200. Imagine premiering a new piece written for your ensemble for only $200-$500! The Commissioning Project helps those groups or schools with strict budgets, helps me to continue to compose creatively, and, through multiple premieres of each piece, helps promote the importance of new music. As a commissioner of a given piece, you and the other commissioners will be given exclusive performers rights of the piece for a year, ensuring simultaneous premieres for all the ensembles involved.

If you are interested in joining The Commissioning Project, please contact me. Please specify the type of ensemble and the approximate playing level that interests you. Some examples:

• advanced Jr. H.S./intermediate H.S. concert band
• advanced H.S./intermediate college concert band
• professional level concert band
• advanced Jr. H.S./intermediate H.S. jazz band
• advanced H.S./advanced college jazz band
• professional level jazz band

Below are some compositions of mine that grew out of the Commissioning Project:

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Also estimate the dollar amount your budget might allow. You are not obligated to commit to The Commissioning Project and will not be asked to submit a payment until I know how many people have signed up for a particular piece and I have let you know how much you will need to pay. At that time I will ask you if you are willing to commit to the project.

I also accept exclusive commissions for just about any ensemble style, type, and level. I have written commissions ranging from Lutheran hymns and pop songs to music for symphony orchestra and concert choir. The advantage to an exclusive commission is the piece can be tailored more precisely to your specifications. When I receive an exclusive commission, I write the piece specifically for the commissioning ensemble, keeping in mind details such as who are the stronger soloists, which are the weaker sections, and so on.

If you are interested in learning more about me as a composer, please check out the rest of my web site. You might be interested particularly in my résumé, composition list, and audio and score samples. If you have any other specific questions, please feel free to contact me. Most importantly, I would be honored if you helped spread the word about The Commissioning Project. Together we can keep new music alive and well!