Commissioning & Collaboration Services¶
As a composer, I offer a variety of commissioning options tailored to the needs of individual musicians, ensembles, educators, and organizations. Whether you are looking to commission a solo encore, a work for a student ensemble, or an ambitious multi-movement piece, this guide will help you explore the possibilities.
How to Get Started¶
If you are an individual, ensemble, presenter, or educator interested in commissioning a new work, please fill out the following form with details about your project. Together we can find the model that best fits your artistic vision, timeline, and budget.
Benefits of Commissioning¶
- Stand Out: Performing a new or rarely heard work sets you apart in a world full of standard repertoire.
- Collaborative: My work is informed by your strengths, sound, and ideas—no two commissions are alike.
- Meaningful: Giving a premiere or making the first recording is an impactful moment in both our careers.
- Relationship-Building: Musical history is shaped by partnerships between composers and performers.
- Tailored to You: Commissions can reflect specific themes, time constraints, or performance needs.
- Yours to Keep: You’ll receive performance materials, and in some cases, exclusivity and recording rights.
Commissioning Models:¶
1. Individual Commission¶
Best for: Soloists, chamber musicians, large ensembles, and programmers.
The most direct route: you commission a custom piece. Pricing depends on instrumentation, duration, and complexity. Exclusive rights and delivery timeline are discussed upfront.
2. Consortia Commission¶
Best for: Ensembles or institutions looking to share costs and increase reach.
Multiple commissioners split the fee and premiere the piece in their own regions. All receive equal performance rights for a set period. This model encourages collaboration over competition.
3. Performance-Based Commission¶
Best for: Early-career musicians, students, or smaller ensembles with limited funding.
If you’re unable to pay a traditional commission fee, we can work out an agreement based on advocacy and a set number of confirmed performances. This is mutually beneficial for network building and PRO royalties.
4. Grant-Based Commission¶
Best for: Institutions, educators, or artists applying for outside funding.
If you're applying for a grant that includes the commissioning of new music, I can be a collaborative partner. I’m happy to contribute materials or letters of support for your proposal.
5. Educational / Workshop-Based Commission¶
Best for: Public schools, studio teachers, youth ensembles, and university groups.
I will create a piece suited to the age, level, and instrumentation of your students. Projects can include virtual or in-person workshops, rehearsal visits, or group feedback sessions.
6. Short-Form / Miniature Commission¶
Best for: Soloists, recitalists, content creators, and patrons.
These are 30-second to 2-minute pieces that serve well as encores, dedications, or social media content. A great entry point for commissioning original music at a lower cost and faster turnaround.
7. Multimovement / Installment Commission¶
Best for: Long-term collaborators or ensembles interested in evolving work.
We can structure the work as a multi-movement piece created and delivered in stages over time. This allows the project to grow with your ensemble and makes budgeting more manageable.
Additional Services¶
Arranging & Transcribing¶
Best for: Educators, community ensembles, or groups with unique instrumentations.
I can adapt pre-existing music for new ensembles or arrange pieces with accessibility in mind. I specialize in youth ensembles, where idiomatic writing and level-appropriate material are key.
Miscellaneous Projects¶
Best for: Interdisciplinary artists, media creators, and anyone interested in collaborative ventures.
I’m always open to creative partnerships with filmmakers, librettists, game designers, visual artists, and more. If your idea doesn’t fit neatly into the categories above, reach out—I’m curious and flexible.