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.