Kevin Siegfried has been the recipient of dozens of commissions from individuals, organizations, and institutions throughout the United States. Commissioning a new piece of music is an exciting collaborative process and need not be prohibitively expensive. Typically, the process works like this:

Step 1: Defining the parameters

During the course of a telephone call, specific parameters of the commission can be discussed. These might include:

• Instrumentation or voicing
• Duration
• Difficulty level/performance requirements
• Text or poem
• Dedication
• Timeline (including dates for delivery or score and parts)
• Commission fee schedule

It is extremely helpful for the composer to know as many details as possible about the performer(s), and the premiere performance. What are the strengths of an ensemble? What pieces are their favorites to perform? What is the acoustic like in the space where the work will be premiered? All such details go to creating a vivid picture of the commissioning party and the nature of the commission.

It is also recommended that the commissioning party consider in advance the desired level of composer participation (giving workshops, lectures, or talks, attendance at rehearsals and/or premiere, etc.). Commissioning parties are highly encouraged to cover the expenses for the composer to travel to and attend the premiere performance.

Step 2: Drafting a letter of agreement

Once the parameters of the commission have been defined and agreed upon, the composer will draft a letter of agreement specifying these details. This letter makes clear the rights and responsibilities of all parties and becomes the working document for the commissioning project, insuring that everyone is on the same page. The composer will send two copies of the letter to the commissioning person or organization. One signed copy of the letter is then returned to the composer along with an initial payment (usually 50% of the commissioning fee).

An excellent source for further information about commissioning music, including a rough fee scale, is Commissioning Music: A Basic Guide, a publication of the national organization Meet the Composer.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of a commissioned work, please contact Kevin Siegfried at the e-mail address below.

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