COMMISSIONING A NEW WORK

Commissioning a new work for your choir is not as difficult as it first may seem. I have written works for some of Canada's top professional choirs, but I also compose for amateur groups of all kinds and levels. A commission often involves a special occasion such as a choir's anniversary year, or a one-of-a-kind celebratory concert. There are a few things that I need to know before I can start writing. Things such as the kind of text that might be appropriate (if possible, I prefer to choose the text within guidelines that you have suggested), the nature, and make-up of your choir, and the ability and size of your accompanying forces (if any). I usually suggest one or two texts in consultation with the commissioner and then work begins. As far as lead time is concerned, I have completed commissions on as little as two months notice, but it is certainly helpful to have more time, particularly if you will be requesting funds from the various Arts Organizations.

In Canada, there are three main avenues of possible commission funding. On a national level, The Canada Council has extensive music commissioning programmes with application deadlines in September and January. There is tremendous demand on their resources however, and generally only projects of national significance can be funded. I regret to say that in recent years on average only one choral commission per year has received funding. There are provincial organizations too. The Alberta Foundation For The Arts, for example, has a commissioning program with an annual deadline of February 15. As a resident of Alberta, I can apply on your choir's behalf to receive funding for the project even if your choir is from another province. So this is a viable option for choirs from other parts of the country, or even from international organizations. Finally, there are municipal Arts organizations that fund commissions (The Edmonton Arts Council is a good example) from time to time.

As far as fees are concerned, most arts funding organizations in Canada use the guidelines for commissioning fees provided by The Canadian League of Composers. The CLC has suggested rates based on the projected length of the work, the number of vocal parts, and the accompanying forces, but feel free to contact me with your ideas and I will be happy to discuss this with you.

There is another article that you might find helpful. This thoughtful set of guidelines written by the composer Kirke Mechem was posted to Choral Talk back in 1997, and is still a recommended ChoralNet resource. LINK.

Further information: contact Allan Bevan abevan@nucleus.com

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