About the project
After saxophonist Jan Berry Baker and percussionist Stuart Gerber, collectively known as the Bent Frequency Duo, gave a terrific performance of my Grito del Corazón this past season, we started discussing a new piece. I love collaborating with performers and discussing ideas. When Jan mentioned the topic of water—its transformative effects, from nourishing and sustaining life to eroding and destroying it, I was immediately enthusiastic.
Like so many of us, I am deeply concerned about the havoc wreaked by climate change and the role of humans in it. The availability of potable water has become an increasingly critical problem, and it led me to choose the title Of Wells and Springs from Wendell Berry’s poem Water. This deeply personal poem welcomes rain in the face of drought and sings of his love of wells and springs. Wendell Berry is known for his lived passion for sustainability and the ways his writings embody it.
You are invited to join this consortium to commission a 7-9 minute piece for alto saxophone and percussion.
The latter will include vibraphone and up to the following additional instruments: a set of temple blocks, snare drum, pair of bongos (hi/low on stand) 2 tom-toms (c. 14” and 16”), 1 suspended cymbal with stand, 1 trap table (ca. 2’x3’).
I love timbral experimentation and collaboration and have had delightful experiences with saxophonists Susan Fancher, Jacob Swanson, and Drew Whiting, all of whom have recorded my saxophone pieces. And I have an ongoing collaboration with percussionist I-Jen Fang, for whom I most recently composed Adventure on Mt. Hehuan for solo bass drum and optional interactive electronics. I look forward to more exploration in the process of composing Of Wells and Springs. The combination of alto sax and percussion is rich with possibilities, and I am excited to add to its repertoire.
To get a more vivid sense of my music, especially for saxophone or percussion, check out the pieces below. While I’ve composed extensively for both instruments, this will be my first composition combining them!
For Saxophone:
Penelope’s Song (recorded by Susan Fancher)
For the Fallen (recorded by Drew Whiting)
For Percussion:
Adventure on Mt. Hehuan for solo bass drum and interactive electronics (recorded by I-Jen Fang)
Khamsa for percussion quintet (recorded by the UVA Percussion Ensemble)
Dates & Deadlines
Consortium launch: October 1, 2022
Consortium closes: January 31, 2023
Delivery Date: Of Wells and Springs will be delivered via email and/or mail (see commissioning tiers below) on May 1, 2023
Exclusive performance rights for all tiers: May 15, 2023, through May 15, 2024
Commissioning Tiers
Tier 1: Individual Student — $150
- Inclusion as a member of the consortium commission and acknowledgment in the score.
- Licensed digital score (and parts if needed) delivered on 5/1/2023
- Email support for questions about the score
- Exclusive performance rights for one year
Tier 2: Student Duo — $250
- Inclusion as a member of the consortium commission and acknowledgment in the score
- Licensed digital score (and parts if needed) delivered on 5/15/2023
- Email support for questions about the score
- Exclusive performance rights for one year
- Two signed hard copies of the score
- A 30’ zoom coaching with Judith
Tier 3: Professional — Individual — $300
- Inclusion as a member of the consortium commission acknowledgment in the score
- Licensed digital score (and parts if needed) delivered on 5/15/2023
- Email support for questions about the score
- Exclusive performance rights for one year
- One signed, hard copy of the score
- One emailed update with behind-the-scenes musical previews and notes from the composing process.
Tier 4: Professional — Duo — $500
- Inclusion as a member of the consortium commission acknowledgment in the score
- Licensed digital score (and parts if needed) delivered on 5/15/2023
- Exclusive performance rights for one year
- Two signed hard copies of the score
- One emailed update with behind-the-scenes musical previews and notes from the composing process.
- A 60’ zoom coaching with Judith
How to Join
Click the button below to download the consortium contract and information form.
To join the Consortium Commission for Of Wells & Springs:
Fill out the form and return it to jshatin@me.com
Submit payment for your tier via Paypal (to jshatin@me.com) or check payable to:
Wendigo Music
c/o Judith Shatin
1938 Lewis Mountain Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903-2451
We can’t wait to work with you!
FAQs
Is the consortium fee refundable?
The consortium fee is non-refundable unless the project has to be canceled (see the contract in download). Please take that into account before signing up.
Can I perform this piece after the year following the world premiere date?
Yes, you can perform it whenever you wish in perpetuity. Also, consortium members have no obligation to perform it within the year following the premiere.
If you still have questions, please contact me!