Competitions and Music Clubs National or international music societies often sponsor new music competitions for commissioning. State or regional music clubs present a golden opportunity to the commissioning performer or ensemble. Even if a commissioning program is not yet in place, one could be initiated merely by suggesting the idea to the right person, the chairperson or organizational leader. I wanted to make the process seem less intimidating. And that has been the goal of this article.
Any performer can commission a piece of music, whether for oneself or for a larger ensemble.
All it takes is finding the right composer for the project and a little chutzpah. Cynthia Green Libby is an oboist with nearly 20 works dedicated to her, including works by composers such as Joan Tower, Rhian Samuel, Libby Larsen and others. Currently associate professor of oboe and music theory at Southwest Missouri State University, she has also served as director of development for various arts organizations in the West. Her CD, Women Composers for Oboe, is available from Hester Park.