Commissions
New music for orchestras, choirs, and ensembles, from the first conversation about the occasion to the parts on the stands.
How a commission works
- A conversation. The occasion, the players, the room, the programme it sits in. Often the most useful half hour of the whole process.
- A proposal. What I'd write, how long it would be, what it costs, and when it would be delivered. No obligation.
- Sketches and a render. You hear the shape of the piece early, while it can still change. A committee can listen before it commits.
- Score and parts. Conductor's score on A3 (or Tabloid), parts on A4 (or Letter), engraved to a consistent house style.
- Rehearsal. I'm contactable through the rehearsal period, and I'll come if it's useful and I can get there.
What I need to know
- The occasion, and whether it needs marking explicitly
- The forces, and honestly, what those players can do
- Roughly how long a piece you want
- The date of the performance, and when parts need to be in hands
- Whether the piece is yours exclusively for a period, or free to be programmed
What affects the price
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Duration | The clearest single driver. |
| Size of the ensemble | A full orchestra means more parts to prepare as well as more music to write. |
| Delivery date | Ordinary lead times cost less than a rush. |
| What's included | Parts, a render, and rehearsal attendance can each be in or out. |
| Exclusivity | A period of exclusive performance rights, if you want one. |
Commissions are quoted individually. Tell me the occasion and the forces and I'll give you a real number rather than a range.
Screen, games, and tabletop
Original music for film and TV, games, tabletop, and video is commissioned the same way, and the conversation at the start matters just as much: the world, the mood, where a cue sits, and what it has to do. What changes is the delivery. You get finished audio rather than a score and parts; WAV or MP3 at the length you need, with stems for the mix and loop points for a game, and the licence agreed up front. How that work differs.
Common questions
Can a committee hear the piece before it commits?
Yes, and it is the part of the process worth insisting on. Sketches and a playback render come early, while the piece can still change, so a committee is deciding about music it has heard rather than about a description of it.
Do you come to rehearsals?
I'm contactable throughout the rehearsal period, and I'll come in person if it's useful and I can get there. Whether that is included is one of the things settled in the proposal rather than left to the week of the concert.