Commissioning
Want a brand new work from me? Good news: you have options!
- Commission your own work: my commissions are currently open. Contact me to discuss and get a quote.
- Join a commissioning project already in process. Right now, active projects are Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra and the Caprice Project. Scroll down for more information about both.
Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra
My home orchestra, the Dubuque Symphony, has commissioned my first flute concerto, to be scored for solo flute, strings, harp, and percussion. Together, we will give the world premiere performances on February 15-16, 2025.
This is truly a bucket list item for me, as well as a milestone in flute history. Can you remember the last time the principal flutist of an orchestra was commissioned to write their own concerto to perform with their orchestra? It happens so rarely that it may be without precedent in modern times.
Even though the DSO and I will give the premiere, I envision the piece as a love letter to the flute community. It will be in three movements--Chorale, Ballade, and Bacchanale--and if all goes according to plan, it will be a real winner of a piece: a major work of about 20-25 minutes, stirringly emotional with gorgeous melodies and explosive virtuosity. I fully intend to write a work that will become part of the core concerto repertoire, one flutists and orchestras alike will love to play.
And there's more! Once the concerto is finished, I will rework it as a "real" piece for flute and piano (not just a piano reduction), tentatively titled Three Pieces for Flute and Piano. The movements will work together as a set and individually as standalone pieces, so that the music will be available to as many performers as possible.
If you would like to join the consortium to support this historic project, two tiers of support are available: Gold and Silver.
Gold Tier ($1500)
Silver Tier ($250 for professionals, $75 for students)
Let's make some flute history together!
This is truly a bucket list item for me, as well as a milestone in flute history. Can you remember the last time the principal flutist of an orchestra was commissioned to write their own concerto to perform with their orchestra? It happens so rarely that it may be without precedent in modern times.
Even though the DSO and I will give the premiere, I envision the piece as a love letter to the flute community. It will be in three movements--Chorale, Ballade, and Bacchanale--and if all goes according to plan, it will be a real winner of a piece: a major work of about 20-25 minutes, stirringly emotional with gorgeous melodies and explosive virtuosity. I fully intend to write a work that will become part of the core concerto repertoire, one flutists and orchestras alike will love to play.
And there's more! Once the concerto is finished, I will rework it as a "real" piece for flute and piano (not just a piano reduction), tentatively titled Three Pieces for Flute and Piano. The movements will work together as a set and individually as standalone pieces, so that the music will be available to as many performers as possible.
If you would like to join the consortium to support this historic project, two tiers of support are available: Gold and Silver.
Gold Tier ($1500)
- Individual/organization/group listed as commissioner in the Concerto score
- Individual/organization/group listed as commissioner in the Three Pieces piano score
- Performing rights for both versions during the exclusivity period (February 17, 2025-February 17, 2026)
- PDF copies of Concerto parts and score upon completion (estimated January 1, 2025)
- PDF copies of published version of Concerto parts and score upon publication, enabling commissioner to perform in perpetuity without paying rental fees
- PDF copies of Three Pieces piano score and flute part upon completion (estimated June 1, 2025)
- Autographed hard copy of Three Pieces piano score and flute part upon publication
Silver Tier ($250 for professionals, $75 for students)
- Individual/organization/group listed as a commissioner in the Three Pieces piano score
- PDF copies of Three Pieces piano score and flute part upon completion (estimated June 1, 2025)
- Performing rights for Three Pieces during the remainder of the exclusivity period between completion and February 17, 2025
- Autographed hard copy of Three Pieces piano score and flute part upon publication
Let's make some flute history together!
The Caprice Project
Over the last several years, many flutist colleagues have mentioned to me the real need for teaching pieces containing extended techniques. The Caprice Project is my answer to that need.
Inspired by Sigfrid Karg-Elert's (in)famous 30 Caprices for flute, his Gradus ad Parnassum of flute technique, the Caprice Project will unfold in three volumes. Volume 1, available now on the Catalog page, contains ten caprices, each 1-2 minutes, meant for beginning flute players. Volume 2 will contain ten additional caprices, each 1.5-2.5 minutes, meant for intermediate players. Volume 3 will contain ten final caprices, meant for advanced players. The first nine of these will be 2.5-3.5 minutes, while the final piece will function as a longer capstone piece (approximately 5 minutes), the same function filled by Karg-Elert's 30th caprice, Chaconne.
Composition for Volume 2 is estimated to begin in June 2025. When it is finished, it will be published in full.
Inspired by Sigfrid Karg-Elert's (in)famous 30 Caprices for flute, his Gradus ad Parnassum of flute technique, the Caprice Project will unfold in three volumes. Volume 1, available now on the Catalog page, contains ten caprices, each 1-2 minutes, meant for beginning flute players. Volume 2 will contain ten additional caprices, each 1.5-2.5 minutes, meant for intermediate players. Volume 3 will contain ten final caprices, meant for advanced players. The first nine of these will be 2.5-3.5 minutes, while the final piece will function as a longer capstone piece (approximately 5 minutes), the same function filled by Karg-Elert's 30th caprice, Chaconne.
Composition for Volume 2 is estimated to begin in June 2025. When it is finished, it will be published in full.
Volume 2: 10 Caprices for Intermediate Flutists
Estimated completion date: June 2026
Commissioning fee: $200 USD per caprice (1.5-2 minutes apiece)
Your $200 fee entitles you to the following:
Estimated completion date: June 2026
Commissioning fee: $200 USD per caprice (1.5-2 minutes apiece)
Your $200 fee entitles you to the following:
- PDF copy of each of the 10 caprices, with accompaniments, as it is finished
- Acknowledgement by name above your commissioned caprice and in the introduction to the published volume
- Choice of extended techniques to focus on in your commissioned caprice (first-come, first-served)
- Signed hard copy of Volume 1 upon publication
- Signed hard copy of Volume 2 upon publication