AMERICAN HARP SOCIETY
HARP LITERATURE COMMITTEE
The Harp Literature Committee promotes new music
for the harp and encourages the commissioning of new works.
NEW: Isabelle Perrin and Barbara Fackler announce the completion of A Guide to Harp Notation Used in the Compositions of Bernard Andrès with the intention that this collection be shared freely! among harpists at no cost.
ON COMMISSIONING
New works are often a result
of a Commission. Working with a living composer can be a truly rewarding
experience. Jointly making a new piece of art come to life, sharing
fresh ideas with a composers, and hearing input about a piece from
its creator are unique and exciting opportunities. The interest
and publicity of a new work and its premiere can also be very helpful
to a career. A new piece can open doors musically, creatively and
for your career.
Most composers have limited
experience with the harp. Make sure that you work with the composer
to explain the instrument, and make the piece a playable and successful
one.
The following information
is excerpted from a "Meet the Composer" publication*.
For more information contact "Meet the Composer", 2112
Broadway, Suite 505, New York, NY 10023; 212-787-3601
CHOOSE A COMPOSER
whose music moves you and who can write for the occasion and instrumentation
you have in mind. Contact candidate composers or their publishers
to request samples of their music.
BASE THE COMMISSION
FEE on the composer's reputation, the length of the work,
number of performers, and the budget of the commissioning party.
Consult the "Meet the Composer " pamphlet's schedule of
fees, seek professional advice, and remember, fees are always negotiable.
There is a composer for every commissioning budget.
PLAN FOR PERFORMANCE
OR RECORDING and agree on the composer's involvement in
rehearsal and public presentations. Performing and recording costs
and personal appearance fees are separate from the commission, and
should be agreed in advance.
THE COMPOSER OWNS
THE COMMISSIONED WORK and all rights to its use under US
and/or International Copyright Law. Commissioners may have exclusive
use of them for a period of time.
COMMISSIONING PARTY
MAY NEGOTIATE RIGHTS such as:
*exclusive right to give
premiere performances
*exclusive performance rights for a limited period
*exclusive right to give the premiere in other cities
*right to make the work's first commercial recording
*right to be credited as commissioner in published editions, recordings,
and programs of all future performances
FUNDING FOR COMMISSIONS
is available from many governmental, foundation and private sponsors.
"Meet the Composer" offers an array of commissioning programs.
Costs can be reduced when several organizations or individuals co-commission
a work, which also ensures multiple performances. The American Harp
Society Chapters can serve as 'fiscal conduits' for grants which
require a non-profit status. You will need a COMMISSIONING AGREEMENT
between the commissioner and the composers. The pamphlet from MEET
THE COMPOSER has great pointers on what should be included.
Good luck and ENJOY!
*Excerpts from: "Commissioning
Music, A Basic Guide" pamphlet - Meet the Composers, Inc.,
2112 Broadway, Suite 505, New York, New York 10023
For further information
contact Kathleen
Moon, Executive Secretary, PO Box 38334, Los Angeles CA 90038-0334.
Phone: 323-469-3050. Email: kmoon@UCLAlumni.net
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