Commissioning

If you are an individual musician, member of an ensemble, concert producer, music patron—or simply a music-lover—consider commissioning me to write a new work for your next recital, concert, tour, CD project or for a special occasion (e.g. wedding, anniversary, birthday). I welcome proposals of any size—even a two-minute piano prelude.

Funding can come from public or private sources. Applications made through the public granting agencies (e.g. Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts) use the commissioning rates recommended by the Canadian League of Composers to determine fees. These rates are also a good reference for privately-funded initiatives.

One way to keep costs down is the process of joint-commissioning whereby two or more individual musicians or ensembles jointly commission a new work; each is entitled to a local premiere. This considerably reduces the fee for each commissioner.

To find out more about the commissioning process or to explore an idea you may have, send me an email.

List of Commissions

The Elanée Ensemble (Hobart, Australia) commissioned a sonata for viola & double bass (in progress) with at least one movement that can be performed independently.

The Elanée Ensemble was founded in 2009 by Stuart Thomson and Jo St. Leon to explore the rich sonorities of the double bass/viola duo and to expand the repertoire by commissioning new and arranged works. The ensemble performs extensively, appears regularly on ABC radio and is preparing its first CD.

Thomson moved to Australia in 2001 after freelancing extensively in the UK and performing with the Hong Kong Philharmonic. He played with the Sydney Symphony, Queensland Orchestra as Associate Principal, and is currently Principal Double Bass with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and teaches at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music in Hobart.

During an extensive orchestral career in London, St. Leon played with the London Philharmonic Orchestra for 13 years, held Principal positions with Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and English Touring Opera, and worked regularly with the English Chamber Orchestra. She is currently Head of Strings at St. Michael's Collegiate and teaches at the Conservatorium in Hobart.

Trevor Pittman (Windsor, Canada) commissioned a sonata for clarinet & piano (in progress) inspired by the Canadian Rockies.

Pittman teaches clarinet and works as the Concert Producer / Operations Manager for the University of Windsor School of Music. He is an active orchestral and chamber musician, frequently performing with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, the Essex Winds woodwind quintet and the new music group, the Noiseborder Ensemble.

The Talisker Players (Toronto, Canada) commissioned the chamber arrangement of Red Moon & Other Songs of War for Festival Vancouver.

The Ottawa Youth Orchestra (Ottawa, Canada) commissioned Maya the Bee to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

The Ottawa Youth Orchestra (Ottawa, Canada) commissioned The Great Northern Diver for its joint tour with the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra to Wales and Ireland.

The University of Ottawa Department of Theatre (Ottawa, Canada) commissioned original songs for its production of Brecht's The Good Person of Szechwan.