Darin's Blog

Celebrate a Wedding, Anniversary or Birthday
Thank some one for doing something special
Have a text you would love set to music
Memorialize or honor someone special
Commemorate a religious holiday or special occasion

Why not commission a piece of music?

Give the Gift of Music!

The Choral Commissioning Project


The Choral Commissioning Project’s goal is to create a large body of new choral works that can be performed and enjoyed by a broad variety of artists and audiences. My intention is to compose over 50 new pieces during 2012-2013. To enable as many different groups to participate in this project, I am offering my talents at a significantly reduced fee.

How much does commissioning music cost?
The cost depends on the size of the new composition (whether it is written for soloist, small ensemble or orchestra), the length of the composition, and the reputation and career level of the composer. For this project the costs will be:

Instrumentation          2-5 minutes

Solo or Duo                    $500

Chorus                            $575

This entitles you to:

• A master copy of music that has your dedication on the top of the first page and autographed by me.

• The right to make as many copies as you need to perform the piece.

• And first look and chance to purchase all the other pieces commissioned as part of this project.

Works can be a cappella or accompanied. Typical accompaniment will be for one instrument: piano, organ or solo instrument, however if another combination is of interest to you we can definitely talk about your wants and needs.

Once the text is chosen, I tend to work pretty quickly so don’t hesitate to contact me even if you have an occasion that is fast approaching.

Would you like me to come and talk about the piece? Work with your ensemble? Attend the first performance? There are so many exciting opportunities to make commissioning a piece of music an interactive and vibrant experience.

If you are interested in learning more about me as a composer, please check out the rest of my website. You can check out my full bio, Curriculum Vitae, composition list, and audio and score samples. If you have any other specific questions, please feel free to contact me.

I would be honored if you helped spread the word about The Choral Commissioning Project. Let’s keep new choral music alive!

darin@lewisinkpress.com

Well, though I wasn’t able to attend – I was sent the following link of part of the performance of “Song of Solomon” that the Needham High Choirs did with the Boston Pops in June.

I was so proud to see the performance and I want to thank everyone in Needham for putting so much time and effort into learning and performing the piece so well – you did a super job!

I would love to know what you all think – let me know!

Peace,

This past fall I was commissioned to write a piece for the 300th anniversary of the town of Needham.  It turned out quite well and the performance was great.  Turns out that the Boston Pops is sponsoring a “Needham Night at the Pops” in June.  They were at the concert and expressed an interest performing parts of the piece on the concert — I was just informed today that they have decided to feature three of the movements on the concert — the Needham high school choir will sing and the Boston Pops will accompany.  It is great opportunity for the kids and I am so happy for them – they were so great to work with.  I wish I could be at the concert – but I will be on tour with the HM Orchestra in Italy —  – Feeling good — hoping to post some clips soon – I think it turned out well…

So – right now I have three pieces that are all due to people in the next 2 weeks — 1st – an electronic piece that will be used for a dance concert.  It is about 5 minutes and is a change for me – It will be completely created and performed with midi tracks — the piece is designed to mimic robots and represent soldiers who are incapable of functioning with an emotion – they merely do what the are told – they too are robots…

The 2nd piece is a being choreographed by a great dancer, Alison Kolinski – she is SO talented.  She asked if I would write a piece that she could set in the style of Irish step dancing — so, I am writing an American version of Irish-step dancing — a little hoe-down, a little Lord of the Dance and a pinch of several authentic irish fiddle tunes — It will be for solo violin and cello… because…

3rd – I have two great young girls who are graduating this June and they are both very talented.  Usually I feature seniors who have put in their dues and are very advanced, by having them play a concerto with the orchestra at school. They asked that they play something together and they hoped I would write something for them.  I have decided to continue the Irish-step theme and write a concerto I am calling the Gaelic Concerto – which will be a multi-movement work that will pay homage to the wonderful and vast collection of music that is Scottish, Irish, Celtic, etc.  – The third movement of the piece will be the Irish-step piece from the dance concert — sometimes it is useful to be economical…

By the way — I just posted a new youtube clip of a piece that I did earlier this month in NYC — It is the 3rd movement from a piece called “LUX” – for soprano soloist, choir and small orchestra – the soloist in this performance was Ellen Zimmer Lewis – she did an amazing job — she’s my wife, maybe I am prejudice!!  Enjoy:

From June 10-18 I was on tour in Argentina (Buenos Aires) and Uruguay (Montevideo). We had a great time. You know that they don’t eat a lot of vegetables or fruits — it is all about meat – beef! — I love beef, but this Californian-grown boy loves fruits and vegetables — but found a few good markets and had some wonderful pears…

The concerts were great — the people were so excited to hear classical music and to hear it performed by young people. We were touring with with our choir and our orchestra. Several of the concerts were with other schools – or professional choirs – there is some singing a-goin-on in South America, however, not a lot of orchestra playing. The group I had with me was a solid bunch of students and they really played well — highlights for me were our performance of Tchaikovsky’s String Serenade — it kicked!! Also, we offered several rousing performances of Copland’s Hoe-Down — people love that piece and the reaction was always very exciting to receive.

We also performed a new piece of mine, written for viola solo and small orchestra. Entitled “Arioso” it is a slow, melancholy piece where the melody is present by the viola and is passed around the orchestra. People seemed to really relate to it and that was very gratifying.

The people were always very appreciative and supportive of our efforts. It was a wonderful experience as musical ambassadors. It is a long way from NYC and the flight was not that comfortable; I don’t know when I will be returning, however I am very glad that we had such a wonderful experience. I will try to post some pics soon… djl