BE PART OF COMMISSIONING A NEW WORK
FOR CLARINET, BASS CLARINET, AND PIANO
BY JONATHAN RUSSELL
CONSORTIUM LEADS: ASHER CARLSON AND KELSEY PAQUIN
THE IDEA
When Asher and Kelsey approached me about commissioning a piece for clarinet, bass clarinet, and piano, I was thrilled! They are both fantastic players and lovely people, and I was delighted that they were interested in working with me. As we discussed plans for how to fund the commission, we all agreed that a consortium would be a great way to go. We love the idea of a wide range of players, from advanced students to seasoned pros, all chipping in and joining forces to help create an exciting new work of clarinet repertoire.
Please JOIN US and become part of a community of enthusiastic clarinetists, bass clarinetists, and supporters, who are helping to make this vision a reality. We would love to have you on board!
THE PIECE
Being part of this commissioning consortium funds the creation of a new 15-20 minute piece for clarinet, bass clarinet, and piano, featuring my distinctive blend of driving grooves, soaring melodies, luscious harmonies, heartfelt emotion, and quirky playfulness.
It will be written at a level suitable to anyone from a seasoned professional to an advanced student or expert amateur. Any “extended techniques” will be clearly explained and playable by performers without prior expertise.
For some insight into the sorts of sounds and ideas you may encounter in the new piece, please check out a few of my representative clarinet and bass clarinet works below:
https://jonrussellmusic.com/works/still-here/
https://jonrussellmusic.com/works/sonata-2-for-bass-clarinet-and-piano/
https://youtu.be/-q3IfVzF088?si=elSPJu7fCxYqbB8W
https://jonrussellmusic.com/works/double-concerto-for-clarinet-cello-orchestra/
https://jonrussellmusic.com/works/on-sorrow-string-quartet-version/
THE PROCESS
One of my favorite parts of the two previous consortia I’ve done was giving consortium members a window into my creative process. This included making videos of myself discussing my approach to composing the piece, videos of me actually working on the piece, written updates on how I was thinking about the piece, and notation and audio samples of the piece as it unfolded.
This act of sharing my work as it progressed was deeply liberating and inspiring. A process that is usually so solitary felt more communal. And I am absolutely convinced that it led to better compositions than I would have created otherwise. As a result, I am excited and eager to engage in this process again, to see what more I can learn from inviting others into my creative world.
TIMELINE
Consortium launch: November 1, 2024
Consortium close: January 15, 2025
New piece will be delivered via email and/or mail on or before: May 1, 2025
Premiere performance at ClarinetFest 2025 by Asher Carlson and Kelsey Paquin: July 2025
Exclusive performance rights for all consortium members through: April 30, 2026
HOW IT WORKS
As a co-commissioner of the work, you will have exclusive rights to perform the new piece (along with the other co-commissioners) for 12 months after its completion. Your name will also be included in the score, program notes, and promotional materials. Additional perks are also available depending on the package you select (see below). Consortium members may be either individuals or duos; the price is the same either way. Please note that nobody joining the consortium is required to perform the work; you are also welcome to join simply to support its creation. You don’t even have to be a clarinetist!
PACKAGES
There are five different consortium packages available at different price points and with different features and perks. Please read on to determine which package is right for you.
1. STUDENT DISCOUNT PACKAGE: Open to any current, full-time student, at any educational institution, at any level
– Digital score and parts
– Your name included on the score as a consortium member
– 12 months exclusive performance rights (shared with other consortium members)
– Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates on the creation process
Price: $55
Register and pay at the above link.
You will receive an email within 24 hours confirming your membership.
Before registering, please read the consortium agreement here. By purchasing a package, you are agreeing to the contents of this agreement
2. STANDARD PACKAGE
– Digital score and parts
– Your name included on the score as a consortium member
– 12 months exclusive performance rights (shared with other consortium members)
– Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates on the creation process
Price: $100
SIGN UP FOR THE STANDARD PACKAGE
Register and pay using the above link.
You will receive an email within 24 hours confirming your membership.
Before registering, please read the consortium agreement here. By purchasing a package, you are agreeing to the contents of this agreement.
3. SILVER PACKAGE
– Digital score and parts
– Your name included on the score as a consortium member
– 12 months exclusive performance rights (shared with other consortium members)
– Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates on the creation process
– One 60-minute private (Zoom) coaching on the piece with Jon
Price: $150
SIGN UP FOR THE SILVER PACKAGE
Register and pay using the above link.
You will receive an email within 24 hours confirming your membership.
Before registering, please read the consortium agreement here. By purchasing a package, you are agreeing to the contents of this agreement.
4. GOLD PACKAGE
– Digital score and parts
– Hard copy of score and parts
– Your name included on the score as a consortium member
– 12 months exclusive performance rights (shared with other consortium members)
– Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates on the creation process
– One 60-minute private (Zoom) coaching on the piece with Jon
Price: $250
Register and pay using the above link.
You will receive an email within 24 hours confirming your membership.
Before registering, please read the consortium agreement here. By purchasing a package, you are agreeing to the contents of this agreement.
5. PLATINUM PACKAGE
– Digital score and parts
– Hard copy of score and parts
– Your name included on the score as a consortium member
– 12 months exclusive performance rights (shared with other consortium members)
– Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates on the creation process
– One 60-minute private (Zoom) coaching on the piece with Jon
– Two additional 60-minute private (Zoom) sessions with Jon on topics of your choice: these could be additional coaching sessions, clarinet lessons, composition lessons, or anything else!
Price: $350
Register and pay using the above link.
You will receive an email within 24 hours confirming your membership.
Before registering, please read the consortium agreement here. By purchasing a package, you are agreeing to the contents of this agreement.
Thanks for your interest in this project!
ANY QUESTIONS?
ASK JON!