What is a commission to compose new original art music?

For centuries, professional composers - and performers - of art music have relied on the patronage of the aristocracy and the support of Church. In democratic societies, especially in the Twentieth century, performing Arts organizations began to assume some, but not all, of this important role in the future of art music.

Today an ever-increasing number of individuals are discovering the joys and benefits of commissioning new original art music, the satisfaction derived from playing an active and vital role in the direction of contemporary art music. Commissioning consortia and clubs seem to be rising up everywhere. Friends and business associates are banding together as co-commissioners, channeling otherwise limited resources into a potent arts advocacy.

A commission to compose music is a contractual agreement between a composer and the commissioning party or parties to create a new musical composition. At its extremes, such agreements may be very broad in its terms, allowing the composer the greatest possible freedom and license, or they may be quite specific, wherein the commissioning parties make clear their goals and objectives for funding the work.

In the following pages will be found links to articles on the current trends in the commissioning of new contemporary art music. Readers will discover how absolutely anyone can be a part of commissioning new original art music.