• Be a part of the creative process from the very beginning

• Contribute to the repertoire by giving life to a new work

• Challenge yourself to work with the composer to interpret the piece

• Give a new experience to your ensemble by working with a living composer and hear about the creative process and gain an invaluable insight into the work

• Allow your audience to be the first to hear a new work

Commissioning a work can be a daunting experience that may sometimes seem financially impossible. I am here to help you and relieve any concerns. Financial situations should never be a deterrent from commissioning a new work and below are some ways you can research to assist in the commission:

• Partner with other ensembles to create a commissioning consortium. In this case, all ensembles gain access to the new work

• Apply for a grant to receive funds

• Advertise for a donor to sponsor the project

How much does it cost to commission a work?

There are many factors that go into the cost of a new work and so before an estimate can be given, Dan sits down with clients to discuss details regarding the work such as length, difficulty, timeline, budget considerations, etc. Once all considerations are made, Dan will be able to present a breakdown as to the cost of each individual commissioned work.

How long does it take to create a new work?

Each project has its own unique considerations that affect the compositional timeline. The sooner you notify a composer the better. Dan is a full-time educator and so composes outside of those hours. He is more than happy and willing to discuss and work with any project so please do not hesitate to fill out the form below if you are interested.

How does the creative process work? Do I get any say in decisions?

While every project begins with a meeting of the commissioners and composer to discuss expectations and gather input, in general the following can be expected regarding creative input from each party:

The commissioning party: Dedication wording, approximate duration of the piece, voicing/instrumentation, preferred style & mood, suggested or preferred text (for vocal works)

The composer decides upon: Final text, musical content

Will the work be published?

Most likely, however, the composer reserves all rights to any work and will decide whether or not to publish. Most traditional publishers have specific qualities for the music they print and so not all works may qualify for their catalogues. While Dan has pieces in print with several traditional publishers, he also self-publishes through D/M Music and is adding pieces to the catalogue on a regular basis.

How do I begin the commissioning process?

Simply fill out the inquiry form below and Dan will be in touch with you soon!