The Euphonium Foundation Commissioning Project
Please join by May 15 here.
Mission Statement of the Euphonium Foundation
The purpose of the Euphonium Foundation is to promote and enhance the position of the euphonium as a musical instrument by providing more focused exposure through support of commissions that specifically target high profile composers to write for the instrument in a variety of mediums. The Euphonium Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c)(3). Tax deductible donations can be made to support the operations. No staff or officers of the Euphonium Foundation are paid. All work and consultations are provided on a voluntary basis.
NOTE: There will be many questions about the entire commissioning process and it can be a complicated path. However, we hope to make it as easy as possible and also answer as many questions in the text below. Please read it thoroughly and feel free to ask any questions.
My Personal Statement
One of my favorite activities for the euphonium involves helping to produce and commission new works for the euphonium. Since my first endeavors during my undergraduate work at the University of Georgia, I have commissioned or had created more than 60 arrangements and compositions involving the euphonium. It has been quite a lot of work!! Most importantly, it has produced some very fine repertoire for the euphonium including the Euphonium Concerto by Allen Feinstein, Winner of the 2006 Harvey Phillips Composition Award presented by ITEA and works on the CDs Taking Flight and Beyond the Horizon (Volumes 1 and 2).
To continue to help build a greater community among players and teachers around the world, I wanted to expand and get more people involved in this process. Another successful community project was the Consortium Commission of Kevin Kaska to compose a Concertino for Euphonium. We had 10 wind bands from around the globe take part in that endeavor.
As I thought about how to branch out the commission opportunities further, I wanted to offer other players the opportunity to take part in these commissions so they can feel a great sense of OWNERSHIP in the future development of the euphonium's repertoire. So thus began THE EUPHONIUM FOUNDATION. An official not-for-profit 501(c)(3), the Euphonium Foundation can receive TAX DEDUCTIBLE donations.
We have 4 projects for 2008 that involve a number of composers including a solo and tuba euphonium quartet work by Eric Ewazen, a solo work by Roland Szentpali, and a set of fanfares for tuba euphonium quartet by young composers Tim Jansa, Ken Friedrich, Chris Tucker, and David Dover.
Membership levels begin at $45!!! A bargain to be a part of helping to create GREAT new music for the euphonium and tuba. So please get involved, join the movement, and spread the good word!!
How the Consortium Commission Process Works
Because many of the best composers work full time composing music as their profession, they require that they must be paid accordingly. Some composers charge $500 for a piece, others will compose for free, others will require a payment of $1,000 or $2,000 per MINUTE of music. As an individual this can be a daunting task to financially support these larger scale works. Thus the concept of a CONSORTIUM COMMISSION.
By pooling resources and having a large number of members, the consortium commission makes it much more possible to commission large scale works and attract bigger name composers. These works require a large amount of funds to commission top quality repertoire.
By running this process through an official non-profit, it also allows your contributions to be a tax deduction and in a few minor cases, we can apply for a VERY limited number of grants. It also adds great weight to the overall endeavor.
Our hope for the consortium commission involves offering players and teachers the opportunity to be involved in helping commission new music for the euphonium and tuba. While our primary focus will be euphonium works, we will still try to regularly feature the tuba in chamber settings.
Our concept is to create an ANNUAL contribution for specific projects each year. Each January - March, we will have a "membership drive" and advertisement of composers that will be composing works for that year.
This first year, we will have 4 works that will be commissioned with a variety of themes and scopes. They include a challenging work for euphonium and piano by Roland Szentpali, an easier work for euphonium and piano by Eric Ewazen, a tuba euphonium quartet by Eric Ewazen, and a set of Fanfares written by 4 younger composers to commemorate IEI 2008, the 5th Year Celebration.
In 2009, we have 2 larger scale works planned by Bruce Broughton (wind band selection with piano reduction) and Hudson Nogueira (concerto with orchestra with piano reduction). Of course, the success of 2008 will help pave the way for the success of 2009, so please consider joining and encourage others to take part as well!!
Commission Projects for 2008
Roland Szentpali
Compose a work for euphonium and piano approximately 7-9 minutes in length. Skill level will be for an advanced undergraduate/ graduate player. Theme and scope will be similar to Pearls. Premiere will take place in fall 2008.
Eric Ewazen
Compose a Sonata for euphonium and piano approximately 7-8 minutes. Skill level will be for undergraduate / excellent amateur level. Piece will be in three movements. Premiere will take place at IEI 2008.
Eric Ewazen
Compose a work for tuba euphonium quartet 4-5 minutes. Skill level will be for undergraduate / amateur level. Premiere will take place at IEI 2008.
Fanfares for the 5th Year of IEI
We have 4 composers writing short 1 to 2 minute fanfares for 4-part tuba euphonium to commemorate the 5th year of IEI. The composers include Chris Tucker, Tim Jansa, Ken Freidrich, and David Dover.
Please note: Every effort will be made to deliver the works in a timely fashion, but we of course do not want to rush creativity and accuracy. We do not have complete control of the composers. Delays in works will be avoided if at all possible.
Support Levels and Benefits for 2008
Silver - $45
Name listed in program notes and on website
Complimentary copy of 2 of the 4 works commissioned for 2008
Complimentary ticket to premiere event
Coupon code for 10% off other commissions
Gold - $65
Name listed in program notes and on website
Complimentary copy of 3 of the 4 works commissioned for 2008
Complimentary ticket to premiere event
Coupon code for 10% off other commissions
Platinum - $100
Name listed in program notes and on website
Complimentary copy of all 4 works commissioned for 2008
Complimentary ticket to premiere event
Benefactor - More than $100
Name listed in program notes and on website in a special Benefactors Section
Complimentary copy of all 4 works commissioned for 2008
Complimentary ticket to premiere event
All commission members will receive performance notes that might include practice and performance insights from professionals as well as insights from the composer.
The Long Term View of The Euphonium Foundation Consortium Commission from 2010 and Beyond
It takes years to commissions many well-known composers and it often requires a significant lead time to allow them to work the commission into their schedule. While this may daunt many people, this is a GREAT sign the composer is in high demand and good things are worth the wait. So there is significant planning and work that must be taken into account.
While the consortium already has a clear picture of who will be commissioned in the next 2 years, it will be necessary for members to help find the next great composers. Each year, the consortium members will be polled for name and genre submissions for future commissions. A Commissioning Advisory Board of 5 members that will be made up of top level players and conductors will review submissions annually. The CAB will create a short-list of 3 names and options that will be submitted to the members to vote.
In the long term, the commissions will be premiered by a variety of players and or be premiered as Consortium Premiere. The way a consortium premiere works is that over a period of time (such as 6 months), each member of the consortium has the right to perform the work and call that first performance a "Consortium World Premeire." With the planning of commissions for 2008 and 2009, these have mainly been determined already.
More on this process will be available in August 2008.
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