Commission Consortiums

Be part of creating new choral repertoire AND support Chorus America!

New Music That Inspires Change

Music has always been a powerful tool for social change. We're proud to honor this tradition through our 2021 Commission Consortiums, bringing to life two new pieces that examine the issues facing our society and inspire hope for better days to come. We invite your chorus to join us by premiering these inspirational new songs in your community while also supporting a worthy cause. All proceeds from this year's commissioning fees go to support the core programs and services of Chorus America, especially our access, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to create a more equitable choral field. 

We are thrilled to announce the two acclaimed composers who have donated commissions for 2021: 

Augusta Read Thomas (Treble Commission)

Augusta Read Thomas – Short Bio

Augusta Read Thomas – Short Bio

This composition will honor the legacy of American civil rights activist Rosa Parks, best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955-56. Appropriate for children/youth choruses as well as adult treble choruses, it will inspire and motivate action to fight for freedom, human rights, and civil rights for all fellow human beings. 



Text: "I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free... so other people would be also free." –Rosa Parks 

Cost: $300 USD | Click here to register today!

Roland M. Carter (SATB Commission)

Roland Carter – Short Bio

Roland Carter – Short Bio

This composition will be rooted in the idiomatic melodic and rhythmic strains of traditional spirituals designed to speak to the impact of two world concerns: the pandemic and injustice. This work will inspire hope for a new day, a new morning, and a new chance to improve in all we do or undertake. 

Cost: $500-$1,025 USD (tiered pricing) | Click here to register today!

A New Pricing Structure to Make Commissions More Accessible

We're bringing tiered pricing to the SATB Commission Consortium this year! Our tiered pricing structure is based on your chorus' budget size and is designed to lower barriers to access for less-resourced and emerging choruses. The suggested pricing for this year's SATB commission is as follows: 

• $1,025 for choruses with budgets of $1M or higher
• $850 for choruses with budgets from $500k - < $1M
• $675 for choruses with budgets from $87,500 - < $500k
• $500 for choruses with budgets less than $87,500

We do not want cost to be a barrier to participation for interested choruses! Please contact André Coleman via email (andre@chorusamerica.org) to discuss a variety of options if the suggested prices prohibit your organization's ability to participate in bringing these new pieces to life.

Registration Is Now Open!

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the commissioning consortiums. Registration ends on Friday, August 13, 2021. Each composer offers a 3-5 minute piece. Scores for each piece will be delivered in PDF format on February 15, 2022. Participating ensembles will share the commissions and dedications equally and have exclusive rights to premiere the piece through August 31, 2022, after which time the piece will be made available for public sale. 

Click here to register today!

Questions?  Contact André Coleman, associate director of philanthropy, at andre@chorusamerica.org or call 202-331-7577 x241.