Commission a New Work

Commissioning an original composition offers ensembles the opportunity to premiere new music created specifically for their unique capabilities, occasions, and artistic goals. The commissioning process is collaborative, ensuring the final work serves the ensemble's needs while maintaining artistic integrity and compositional vision.

Why Commission Original Music?

Original commissioned works provide several benefits beyond performing existing repertoire. A commissioned piece can commemorate significant anniversaries, honor individuals, celebrate communities, or mark important occasions with music created specifically for that purpose. The premiere performance creates a special connection between performers and audience, knowing they are experiencing something created uniquely for this moment.

For educational ensembles, commissioned works can be tailored to specific pedagogical goals and ensemble capabilities. A work designed for your students' current skill levels and instrumentation, while still offering appropriate challenges, maximizes learning opportunities and performance success.

According to Bandworld Magazine, commissioning new works is essential for the continued health and growth of wind band repertoire. Each commissioned piece contributes to the expanding canon of original music for winds, enriching the art form for future generations.

The Commissioning Process

Initial Consultation

The process begins with detailed discussion of your vision, goals, and requirements. Key topics include:

• Ensemble size and instrumentation: Exact instruments available, including doubling capabilities and special instruments
• Technical level: Honest assessment of ensemble capabilities, challenging sections, and any technical limitations
• Duration: Desired length of completed work, typically ranging from 4-15 minutes
• Occasion and purpose: Context for the commission—concert, competition, commemoration, educational use
• Thematic content: Any specific themes, moods, or programmatic elements desired
• Timeline: When the completed work is needed, typical timeline is 6-12 months
• Budget: Commission fees vary based on work scope, duration, and complexity

Proposal and Agreement

Following consultation, a detailed proposal outlines the planned work, including projected duration, difficulty level, instrumentation, and thematic approach. The proposal also specifies timeline, fee structure, and rights agreements. Once all parties agree, a formal commission agreement is signed detailing terms and expectations.

Composition Phase

During composition, periodic updates keep commissioners informed of progress. Depending on the commission agreement, you may receive work-in-progress recordings or score excerpts for feedback. This collaborative approach ensures the final work aligns with your vision while maintaining compositional integrity.

Delivery and Premiere

The completed work is delivered as a full score and complete set of parts, typically 2-3 months before the premiere performance. This allows adequate rehearsal time. Program notes are included for concert programs and promotional materials.

When possible, attending premiere performances and working directly with ensembles during final rehearsals is preferred. This hands-on approach ensures optimal interpretation and allows real-time adjustments to dynamics, tempo, or phrasing based on acoustic realities.

Types of Commissions

Full Original Works

Complete new compositions created from scratch, ranging from 5-15 minutes duration. Most common for wind band, chamber ensembles, and accompanied solos.

Arrangements and Transcriptions

Adapting existing works (either your own works or those in public domain) for different instrumentation. Useful for making beloved pieces accessible to specific ensemble configurations.

Educational Commissions

Works designed specifically for student ensembles with pedagogical goals in mind. These commissions balance musical substance with appropriate technical demands, offering students valuable learning experiences through quality literature.

Consortium Commissions

Multiple ensembles share commission costs, each receiving premiere performance rights within their region. Consortium commissions make larger, more ambitious works financially accessible while giving the composition multiple high-quality performances. According to American Composers Forum, consortium commissions have become increasingly popular as efficient ways to support new music creation.

Commission Fees

Commission fees reflect the time, expertise, and creative work involved in creating original music. Factors affecting fees include:

• Duration of completed work
• Complexity of instrumentation
• Timeline constraints
• Exclusive premiere period
• Rights and usage agreements

Typical ranges for wind band commissions: $2,000-$10,000 depending on duration and scope. Chamber works: $1,000-$5,000. Solo works: $500-$2,500. Consortium commissions divide costs among participating ensembles.

Specific fee quotes are provided during initial consultation based on your project's unique requirements.

Rights and Permissions

Standard commission agreements grant the commissioning ensemble premiere performance rights (typically exclusive for 6-12 months) and permanent permission to perform the work. Copyright remains with the composer, allowing for score publication and performances by other ensembles after the premiere period.

Recording rights, educational use permissions, and any special arrangements are specified in the commission agreement. Flexibility is offered to accommodate various needs while protecting the work's integrity and the composer's rights.

Begin the Conversation

If you're considering commissioning an original work, let's start a conversation about your vision and how music can serve your ensemble's goals. Initial consultations involve no obligation and help determine if a commission is right for your situation.

Visit the contact page to begin discussing your commission ideas.