Commissions


I am generally available for commission work and would be happy to discuss your project with you at your convenience. Please know that new music takes time to write and prepare for performance so please plan accordingly. I’m not one to miss reasonable deadlines.

In recent years, I have been commissioned by Santa Fe Opera Company, Albuquerque Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Festa Cultura di San Giovanni Battista (Florence), Chiesa di Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, performers including Carson Cooman and Robin Walker, and numerous parishes and individuals.

For an idea of how a commission for new music works, New Music Box USA has an excellent calculator to ballpark fees and a guide to the commissioning process of collaborating with a composer or arranger.

A list of my recent patrons can be supplied on request, please ask.

My rates are always negotiable, but plan for an average rate of $500 per minute of music. For smaller works or arrangements (keyboard music or small motets and anthems), plan for less money per minute; for major works (symphonic music and operas) plan for more.

Every composer has their own style; make sure the one you want to commission (even if it’s me!) writes music that moves you. Take the time to listen to recordings of my stuff, ask me for sample scores, and then plan on a frank conversation about your project.

Please have a good sense of your deadline, budget, and instrumentation requirements. I’m happy to dream with you a bit about possibilities, that’s always a source of inspiration, but, in order to manage my composing calendar, I do prefer serious inquiries.

I look forward to working with you. When that new piece arrives in your email box, take a moment to celebrate: for this music did not exist before but it does now because you helped to make it a reality.

© 2022 by Frederick Frahm.
All rights reserved.