Commissions

About Commissioning  |  Past Commissions  |  Commission Rates

About Commissioning

Commissioning is a one-time sponsorship of a composer by an individual, music ensemble or other organization supporting the creation of a brand new piece of music.

A commission might be motivated by a desire to commemorate an event or anniversary, to support the commissioned composer's career, to attract audiences to a premiere performance or other reasons. The commissioning party often gives guidelines for the new work's instrumentation, length, difficulty level, style or other programmatic elements.

Any individual, music ensemble or other organization can commission a new piece of music. If you are interested in inquiring about the commissioning process, please feel free to contact Carl Schroeder.

Past Commissions

  • Agora (2003), a concert band fanfare commissioned by the Minnesota Symphonic Winds in celebration of the ensemble's 25th anniversary season.

  • The Minnesota Portraits (2003), a three-movement concert band suite commissioned by the City of Lakes Community Band with funds from an anonymous donor.

  • Claussen's Eleven (2003), a saxophone ensemble work commissioned by music educator Kurt Claussen for premiere at the 2003 World Saxophone Congress.

  • Passages of Celebration (2003), a piano solo commissioned by Connie Crane in celebration of her father Joe Crane's 80th birthday.

  • The Willing (2004), a concert band fanfare co-commissioned by the Cornell University Symphonic Band, Ithaca College Campus Band and St. Olaf College Valhalla Band.

  • Two December Carols (2005), a two-movement accompanied SATB choral work commissioned by the Wells Fargo Chorus with texts by Minnesota poets Joyce Kennedy and Shannon King.

  • Monuments (2006), a concert band work commissioned by the Carondelet Catholic School Concert Band with funds from an anonymous donor.

  • A Celestial Triptych (2006), an anonymously commissioned three-movement solo piano suite inspired the "Space Odyssey" set of space landscape paintings by Minnesota artist Kendall Bohn.

  • The Eagle's Island (2007), a tone poem for concert band, revised on a commission from the Minneapolis Southwest High School Wind Ensemble.

  • Remembrance (2009), a concert band work honoring the many who served in the American Civil War, commissioned by Carl R. Schenker Jr. and Susan Sherman Richardson for premiere by the Minnesota Symphonic Winds.

  • Two December Carols (2013), a two-movement concert band adaptation of the original choral version, commissioned by the City of Lakes Community Band and Ann M. Verme in memory of Carol Voight.

  • Historic Fort Snelling (2015), a work for flute ensemble and snare drum adapted from the first movement of The Minnesota Portraits, commissioned for Flute Cocktail by Karen Koepp and Inez Bergquist.

  • Southwest Memories (2016), a concert band adaptation of the original version for solo piano, commissioned by Southwest Foundation of Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the Southwest Wind Ensemble, Reid Wixson, conductor, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Southwest High School.

  • Capitol Fanfare (2017), a concert band fanfare commissioned by the Minnesota State Band, Keith Liuzzi, conductor, in celebration of the reopening of the Minnesota State Capitol.

  • Rings (2021), commissioned for the Three Rivers Conference Honor Band in southeast Minnesota, Reid Wixson, conductor.

  • Sculptures (2022), commissioned for the Three Rivers Conference Honor Band in southeast Minnesota, Reid Wixson, conductor.

Commission Rates

Rates for commissioning a new piece of music are variable and negotiable, depending on such factors as the instrumentation and duration of the new work, length of time given to compose the work, and so on. Composers love commissions, and are generally happy to work with commissioning parties to come to a mutually agreeable proposal, or refer the commissioning party to another composer.

Ensembles, individuals and organizations wishing to commission a new work should generally initiate contact at least nine months prior to the expected premiere date, although shorter-notice commissions can sometimes be fulfilled. Carl Schroeder's commissioning rates are negotiable, but generally range from $100 to $500 per minute of the finished work.

Further questions? Contact Carl with questions about commissioning a new piece of music.