COMMISSIONING PHILOSOPHY

As a composer, being trusted to write a piece that is specifically tailored to the needs and interests of a choir is a real honor. I've been very lucky to work with groups of all shapes and sizes, including middle school, high school, collegiate, community, and professional groups; from the extremely well-funded to the "not-at-all.” Every commission has its own unique opportunities and challenges, which makes it an exciting adventure every time. 

As an educator and conductor myself, I understand that commissioning a new work can be a daunting experience, so I want to make it as easy as possible. Here are some promises that I make whenever someone asks whether I can write something for their group:

  • … ask about your goals and write the piece that you want.

  • … work to accentuate your group's strengths.

  • ... adhere to your desires with regard to length, divisi, instrumentation, range, and any other considerations.

  • ... work with you to choose a theme, text, and/or mood that appeals to you, your choir, and your audience.

  • ... work with copyright holders to secure rights for text that is not in public domain, when necessary.

  • ... show you unfinished drafts and allow you to request modifications that suit your ensemble.

  • ... provide a polished working copy of the score in time for you to prep your rehearsals.

  • ... provide a finished, thoroughly edited, and dedicated score to ensure the final edition is perfect.

  • ... provide a thorough contract and invoice, so you know exactly what to expect—and when.

  • ... make myself available to conduct composer Q&A's, clinics (or both!) on Zoom.

    I am always actively writing new works. To inquire about a collaboration, email me at braeden.ayres@gmail.com.
    Read more about my commissioning philosophy below.


I'm lucky enough to have my works performed all over the world. Below are just some of my commissions and premieres. 

Prairie Middle School; Kelly Truax, Conductor
Cedar Rapids, IA; There Came a Wind Like a Bugle TTBB; 2021

Newton All-City Troubadors; Jaime Alberts, Conductor
Newton, MA; Everything is Waiting for You; SATB, piano; 2019

Nebraska ACDA Middle School All-State
Singing Youth of Nebraska Festival Choirs; Have Courage and Be Kind; SATB, piano; 2019

University of Washington
Jennifer Rodgers, DMA; Pundits and Poets arrangement; SATB, percussion, strings; 2017

Winston Knoll Collegiate 
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; The Dove that Calls; SAB, piano; 2017

Monroe High School
Monroe, Michigan; Fairy Song; SA, piano; 2017

Florida ACDA Men’s Honor Choir 
Journeyman’s Song; TTB, piano; 2015

Kansas ACDA Treble Honor Choir
Now, Voyager; SSA, piano, horn; 2017

Inaugural Symposium on Singing and Song 
Newfoundland, Canada; Frobisher Bay; TTB, piano; 2015

Commissioning Consortium
“Dream of the Caged Bird” (CO, TX, FL, OH, OK, CA, MA, NJ, PA, MO) 2017

Grand Junction High School
Brad Hirsch, Director; “Come With Me” SSA, percussion; 2016

Castille High School
Cami Clausen, Director; “Dream On” SATB, piano; 2017

GALA Chorus Festival
Denver, Colorado; “My Country Tis of Thee” brass arrangement; 2016

Prairie Point Middle School
Cedar Rapids Iowa; The Witching Hour; TTB, piano; 2016

Fort Collins High School
William Ecker, Director; “San Aki no Haiku” SATB, piano (choral set); 2017

AJ Phillips
University of Northern Colorado; “Furiosa” Mezzo Soprano, guitar, percussion; 2017

Kara Kupecki, Ethan Peckham
University of Northern Colorado; “A Little Song,” soprano, baritone, piano; 2016

The Texas Voices
Dallas, TX; “anyone live in a pretty how town” SATB, piano; 2016

Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus
“Hold On” from The Secret Garden, TTBB; 2016

Patriot League Honor Choir
Greeley, Colorado “Afternoon on a Hill,” SSA, piano; 2016

University of Northern Colorado Chamber Choir
“Firelight,” SATB; 2016

Discovery Canyon Campus
“I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from Mulan, TTBB; 2013

Mackenzie Wilson
Baylor University, Waco, Texas; Sussurations, Soprano, piano; 2011

Grapevine High School
Patrick Antinone, Director; Born on a Fishing Boat; SSA, piano; 2011

 

The average commissioning cost varies, depending on the desired length, complexity, turnaround time,
fundraising or community engagement, travel, and securing of texts, where applicable.

If you are interested collaborating on a new work, please email me at braeden.ayres@gmail.com.