CJ Replay: Commissioning Choral Music

Many interesting and accessible works for children’s chorus are the result of a commission from a particular children’s chorus or choral event.  Commissioning a new work allows young singers the opportunity to work with a composer or arranger and to gain knowledge of the creative process from concept to concert. Children can be involved in every step of the project and can feel ownership and pride in the work created. A commission can mark an anniversary or special event, be a memorial to a person special to the chorus, or be in the tradition of the chorus. The type of commission-major work, short composition, arrangement, single instrument, piano, organ, or orchestra should be determined at a very early stage. The projected premiere date, availability of additional musicians, funds for the composer fee, copying fees, and travel fees should be determined prior to discussions with the composer. Funding for a project can be secured from granting organizations, through gifts to the chorus, by designating a part of the yearly budget of the chorus, or through collaboration with other choruses.

 

(from the Choral Journal article, “Commissioning Works for Children‟s Chorus,” by Linda Ferreira)