When you are ready to start your commission, Click Here. I’ll guide you through an easy, stimulating, career-boosting experience to create your very own substantial work. I can’t wait to hear about your ensemble and what results you would like to come from a commission.
Benefits of A Commission
A photo with my friend and phenomenal saxophonist James Besaw, right after James’ graduate recital at Oakland State University, where he performed Crepuscular Light.
A musical work created just for you that lets you stand out as an ambassador of 21st-century music, including your most preferred musical and technical concepts in a unique and proprietary collaborative experience between composer and performer.
High quality music providing a diverse repertoire to help build your audience.
Throughout the term of the project, I will send several rough drafts before the official version. This creates an open and detailed process of collaboration, allowing an abundance of time to communicate, sift and refine ideas, and ultimately create a powerful piece of music. By the time the final version is complete, you will have already learned the music!
Once the score is complete, you have the option of receiving a PDF of the score, a professionally made hard copy, or both!
With each ensemble I work with, I create video content that is posted on my website and social media accounts discussing our collaboration, the piece we are working on, and promoting the project. This is FREE promotion for you!
I also provide an Mp3 or MIDI track to aid in rehearsal.
Rates
Commission rates are dependent on the size of the ensemble or instrumentation and length of the piece. A 5-minute work consisting of 1 - 4 musicians will be around $1,000 - $2,000. A longer piece with more performers will have a higher rate.
Payment
Each commission begins by submitting a deposit upon signing the contract. The remaining payments will be made through subsequent deliveries of the score, or over a longer, agreed-upon timeline. This process should be as painless and attainable as possible, so let's find a way that works for you.
Consortium models - where the commissioning body made up of several groups of performing organizations, soloists, or patrons that contribute a smaller amount to the overall commission - is a great way to commission a piece! It creates more exposure for each member of the commissioning body by having a dedicated premiere for that member while alleviating the financial expense. For example, 10 consortium members contributing $250 for a piece instead of 1 ensemble paying $2,500.
Timeframe
Typically reserved 8 months to 2 years before sending the official score to the performing musicians. This allows plenty of time for communicating ideas, research, composing, editing, and engraving the score. However, I am happy to be as flexible as I can depending on the duration and instrumentation for the work. Please contact me so we can find out how to bring this project to life!
Other Info
When you have any performances of my music, I ask that you please fill out the Making Noise form to submit information about the performance: date, time, venue, location, ensemble, etc. As a member of ASCAP, I report my premieres and all performances to that performing rights organization to receive small royalty payments from these performances.