Commissioning
Commissioning a new piece is, at its best, a collaboration. It is a partnership between a performer or ensemble and a composer to make something that would not otherwise exist.
I bring to this work a background in both commissioning and being commissioned. As a composer, my commissions begin with conversations about what you hear in your head, what your players can execute, and what timeline makes sense. As someone who has asked others to write for me, I know the value of working with someone who asks the right questions first.
What Commissioning Offers
For performers and ensembles, commissioning lets you:
- Add a work to the repertoire written for your specific sound and capabilities.
- Work with the composer on difficulty level, duration, and technical considerations.
- Collaborate directly with the composer to bring your artistic vision to life.
For organizations—universities, presenters, festivals—commissions serve programming needs while supporting living composers. This is a tool in the bag for any institution that wants to shape its artistic identity rather than simply present what already exists.
The Process
- Initial conversation. We discuss instrumentation, duration, difficulty, timeline, budget, and any specific ideas. This is as much me deciding whether I am the right fit as you deciding the same about me.
- Agreement. I outline the project scope and timeline. We settle on fee and deliverables. I typically request a deposit to secure the schedule slot.
- Collaborative development. I check in at key milestones, especially for questions about the writing or for feedback on sketches. Your level of involvement is your choice.
- Delivery. You receive the final score and performance materials as PDF. For work involving electronics, I provide the performance/practice materials as a Max patch with instructions.
- Premiere and beyond. I coordinate final details for the first performance and am available for rehearsal consultation via video call or recording session.
Consortium Commissions
A consortium lets multiple performers or organizations share the cost of a commission. Each participant receives access to the finished work, and the piece gains performances by more ensembles—which helps it find its audience.
Most arrangements I have facilitated work like this:
- Small consortium (3–5 participants): Each party typically contributes 20–33% of the total fee.
- Large consortium (6+ participants): Contributions scale down proportionally, with each participant receiving equal performance rights.
- Lead commissioner: One group covers a larger share in exchange for naming rights or a guaranteed premiere slot.
I coordinate the logistics for any consortium arrangement. The next step is a conversation about what serves everyone involved.
Funding Resources
Commissioning rarely requires a single source of funding. Successful projects often combine several:
- Ensemble or organizational programming budgets
- Foundation or community arts grants
- University course buyouts or summer research funds
- School or departmental special project funds
- Crowdfunding campaigns for community-supported projects
I can provide project descriptions or grant language for funding applications. This is where my experience on both sides of the commission table becomes a tool in the bag.
Begin the Conversation
If this aligns with a project you are considering, get in touch. Even if you are uncertain where to start, a conversation is the right first step.
Contact Me