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click
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Commissioning a piece of music
can be one of the most rewarding things you do with your ensemble. It
allows your ensemble members an opportunity to work with a composer, be
a part of the compositional process, and be the first to premiere a
brand new work!
Many are intimidated by the thought of commissioning a new piece
of music, but the process is easier and much more rewarding than you may
think - nothing equals the joy and satisfaction of giving your ensemble
members the opportunity to be a part of the creation of a new piece of
music.
I prefer to broaden the scope of the commissioning process by spending
time working with the commissioning group, often in a
composer-in-residence or clinic format. My experience as a Conductor and
a Choral Director allows me to offer insight and a different perspective
when working with students or ensemble members. The entire process
becomes a learning experience for all involved: selecting text, learning
about composition and improvisation, working through thematic and
motivic development, making instrumentation and textural choices, etc,
etc. Commissioning groups and their member get much more out of the
commissioning if they are an active participant in the process!
Please
email me with any questions or ideas you may have about commissioning a
new work.
Common misconceptions regarding
Commissioning a piece of Music:
It's so expensive - we could
never afford it.
Not true. Commissions can range in price from hundreds to thousands of
dollars depending on the type of piece, length of the commission
process, etc. Even groups with very limited budgets often find
underwriters from their area to help defray the costs of a Commission.
Only large, professional groups
can commissions works.
Not true. Many school and church ensembles have successfully
commissioned works.
We would have no input in the
commissioning process.
Not true. I prefer to involve the commissioning group and group members
in the process.
Possible
occasions for Commissioning a Work:
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♫ a performance at a State or National
Conference
♫ a special performance in your church (Easter, Christmas,
etc.)
♫ the dedication of a new auditorium , church or performance
facility
♫ as part of a Composer-in-Residence Program
♫ an anniversary of a group's founding
♫ as a memorial for a group or community member
♫ for the sheer joy of being a part of the creation of a new
work of music!
(the list goes on and on...) |
Comments from recent Commissions:
| I just hired
Jeffrey Cobb to be a composer in residence at Traverse City West
Junior High (Traverse City, Michigan) this spring and have been
EXTREMELY pleased with the results. I would highly recommend him to
anyone looking for new, fresh literature to add to a program. He has
a great feel for the pulse of young singers, and brings an energy to
both his clinic work and his composing that is inspiring. My kids
loved working with him, and are so excited for him to come back. |
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Phil Johnson -
Director, TCWJH Choirs |
| Great work!
Having Jeff workshop with my choir before writing the piece allowed
my students to have ownership in the final product. That ownership
showed up in each rehearsal and for the performance. His composition
met us where we were musically. This project was one of the
highlights of our year. |
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David Boswell -
Director, Hillsdale High School |
| It was fun! It
really gave me a new perspective on music and possibly a new job to
think about. Really awesome experience! |
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Evan H. -
student, Hillsdale High School |
| "Invictus" was
off the hook! |
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Kirk P. -
student, Hillsdale High School |
| The whole
experience was wonderful. Mr. Cobb was a great guy to work with and
really cared about our opinion. After he wrote the piece for us, he
asked for our feedback, and we worked together to revise it. I truly
enjoyed writing with Mr. Cobb and I'm so glad I was given the
opportunity! |
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Chelsea S. -
student, Hillsdale High School |
| Mr. Cobb was an
inspiration to our choir. The song fit us perfectly and Mr. Cobb was
wonderful to work with. Thank you so much! |
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Arielle C. -
student, Hillsdale High School |
| Working with a
poem we picked out ourselves and premiering our piece was truly and
awesome experience! |
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Andrew B. -
student, Hillsdale High School |
| It was an
amazing experience! I learned an incredible amount about composition
and the song felt very personal I played a part in how it was
written. |
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Isaac J. -
student, Hillsdale High School |
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