Neighbor Tones was a project intended to encourage musicians to program and perform music outside of traditional concert venues. From works about chickens and the jabberwocky, to pieces about night time, chomping at leaves, and double-standards, the project worked to prove that music can really be anything, anywhere. The sheet music for works from this series will be for sale in the fall of 2023 through early 2024, after the exclusivity period for these works is over. To see works currently available for purchase, please visit my Library.
Project Updates
February 1ST, 2023: Edits for Night Lights are complete, and rehearsals are beginning soon! With that, this project has fully left the writing/editing stage and is now out in the world! As of today, five of the works for Neighbor Tones have been premiered, one is scheduled to be released on an album in March, and two have their performances lined up for the spring. I’m so thankful to the ensembles and individual musicians who supported the project and worked to get music out in their communities. Play on!
January 1ST, 2023: After a fantastic collaboration with Whistling Hens, edits for Hombres Necios are complete! The work is already scheduled for performances this spring, so check out the Upcoming Performances tab for more information.
November 1ST, 2022: I just wrapped work on the first full draft of Hombres Necios and couldn’t be more excited to work with the duo in January on edits for this piece! I’m also in the middle of edits for Beau Soir’s new piece, Night Lights, and can’t wait to share more about all of the performances they have lined up!!
October 1ST, 2022: Working through my new piece for Whistling Hens, Hombres Necios, has been a fulfilling and challenging endeavor - we’re just wrapping up the first sketches and will start collaborating more deeply in the coming weeks!
August 1ST, 2022: So excited to be wrapping up work on Night Lights, the new work for Beau Soir! After this piece, I’ll be moving on to the last project of the Neighbor Tones series - a new work for soprano and clarinet duo for the incredible Whistling Hens ensemble!
June 1ST, 2022: I just had a lovely meeting with the harpist from the Beau Soir Trio, and am so excited to dive into their project next week! Check back soon for a blog post about the work-in-progress.
February 1ST, 2022: With work on STUMPED complete, there is a small pause in the calendar as I focus on a few other projects. The last two projects, with the wonderful Beau Soir Trio and Whistling Hens duo, will pick back up again in late May. Check back again later this spring for more updates, and be sure to keep an eye on the Upcoming Performances tab for details on when the works will be premiered!
January 1ST, 2022: So excited to be continuing work on “STUMPED” - a new work inspired by dendroclimatology, for premiere in Boise this spring!
December 22ND, 2021: Just had a wonderful day doing a clinic on To Burst and extended techniques with the students of the Sun Prairie High School orchestras in Wisconsin! Their work is dedicated to their former teacher, Ms. Abbott, who recently passed away from cancer in 2021.
December 1ST, 2021: Having finished “Chomping at the Leaves,” I’ve just begun work on a new piece for the Sun Prairie High School orchestras based in Wisconsin!
November 15TH, 2021: Nearly finished with “Chomping at the Leaves” for solo trombone - inspired by the commissioner’s dog, Sushi!
November 1ST, 2021: Putting on the finishing touches for “Fowl Play,” an exciting work about chickens for different combinations of flute-family instruments! The work is currently being rehearsed for a recording session later this winter.
October 1ST, 2021: Having just recently completed “Jabberwocky,” I am excited to announce the piece is already scheduled for premiere at the Austin library in Texas! More details to come soon. Check the Upcoming Performances tab for more information.
September 2ND, 2021: Applications for this opportunity are now closed. Thank you for your time in submitting your proposals!
Project Calendar
Completed projects are in italics. An * indicates what piece I’m currently working on. Want to learn more about each piece? Check back on the blog soon for more!
Jabberwocky - for solo harp with narrations - Shana Norton
Fowl Play - for flute-family quartet - Elizabeth Robinson
Chomping at the Leaves - for trombone solo - Lauren Rudzinskas
To Burst - for string orchestra - Eleanor Mertzenich, Sun Prairie, WI
STUMPED - for percussion trio with electronics - Mitchell Beck
Night Lights - for flute, viola, and harp - Beau Soir Ensemble
Hombres Necios - for clarinet and soprano - Whistling Hens Duo
Applications for this project are now closed, but you can still read the initial call for proposals below:
During the pandemic, communities everywhere have been disconnected; schools, libraries, museums, religious worship centers, performing arts venues, local markets, and other communal gathering spaces have remained largely quiet and empty. Already vulnerable populations—such as those living in retirement communities, incarcerated populations, houseless people, at-risk youth, hospitalized or institutionalized patients, people living with domestic violence or substance abuse—were further isolated and cut off from resources, community, and much-needed support. While vaccines have made some gatherings possible again, it will doubtless take time and great effort to rebuild our communities. This project aims at supporting that cause.
Throughout lockdown, the one thing that seemed to bring people together most was music. Online concerts, livestreams of rehearsals or performances, Zoom concerts, album releases—these were the projects that seemed to regularly helped people cope, provide comfort, express their experiences, and stay connected to one another. As we begin the gradual return to physical spaces, it seems only natural that music help lead the way to rebuilding, reconnecting, and strengthening our communities once again. And so, I’m proud to announce Neighbor Tones.
What is Neighbor Tones?
Neighbor Tones is an initiative to encourage creative placemaking in and reconnecting with your communities. Individual musicians, ensembles, arts organizations, and community services organizations are all encouraged to apply. From now until September 1st, 2021 all accepted commission proposals will receive 50% off the total commission fee if they are planned for a community outreach program at one or more of the following types of communal spaces:
-Farmer’s markets
-Hospitals, substance abuse rehabilitation centers, veteran’s affairs centers, and mental health treatment clinics
-Retirement centers/communities
-Prisons or youth-detention centers
-At-risk youth facilities
-Libraries or bookstores
-Children’s museums, art museums, science museums, planetariums, or zoos
-Homeless shelters, transitional housing communities, or domestic violence shelters
-Food banks, meal centers, or soup kitchens
Other spaces may be approved on a case-by-case basis. Contact me directly with questions.
Who can commission a work? Is this project only for musicians?
Individual musicians or chamber groups, established ensembles, and community organizations are encouraged to apply. If you are a community organization that does not include musicians but would like to commission a work, I am happy to write works for amateur/non-musicians that do not require the ability to read music. There are a wide array of ways to make music without conventional notation, and I would be happy to chat with you about what I can provide your group before you apply! Just reach out using the contact page.
How do I apply?
Application instructions are below. Please read over these instructions and guidelines carefully, and reach out if you have any questions!
ELIGIBILITY:
The deadline to apply is September 1st, 2021
Community outreach programs can be scheduled to take place anytime before January 1st, 2023 (between August 1st, 2021—December 31st, 2022), but you must reach out with your proposal by 11:59pm on September 1st, 2021 to be eligible for the discount.
Individual musicians or chamber groups, established ensembles, and community organizations (including non-musicians) are all welcome to apply
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Need help getting started? Reach out and let’s chat!
Your proposal should include the following information.
Your name and current city/state (no home addresses needed)
The venue, organization, event, or communities you are presenting to
Instrumentation (if using non-musicians just indicate “participation piece” here)
Approximate duration
Brief overview of what you’d like the piece to include or incorporate (some examples include: do you want to include audience participation? what mood/tone are you hoping for? is there a particular topic you’re interested in? are you hoping to use text from the community you’re serving?)
If you would like me to participate in a masterclass, rehearsal, clinic, or presentation please detail your request. If you’re not sure what involvement you need but would like to discuss this further, just indicate that you’re tentatively interested.
If you have a website or public social media account you’d like to share, please feel free to include this information as well!
PRICING:
Once approved, an initial down-payment will be required at the start of the writing period (usually 25% of the commissioning fee). Additional information on pricing follows.
The discount applies to LISTED PRICES on the Chamber Music Pricing, Large Ensemble Pricing, and Pre-Collegiate Pricing.
If you are in a group of non-musicians and are wanting to commission a work, use the “Solo” rates from the Chamber Music Pricing page if your participants are over 18, or Pre-Collegiate Pricing if mostly 18 years or younger. Reach out if you need an official quote before committing!
Works that are using text will automatically have the text creation/adaptation fee waived for this project. I am happy to collect text from participants and create an original text from their words! If wanting to use a text that is not in the public domain, please secure permissions in advance.
I offer payment plans (installments and monthly plans both available), so if you would like to program a larger work but need to spread out your payments just let me know!
I am proud to offer virtual appearances for free as part of this project. If you are offering your program within Multnomah County (Oregon), I am happy to appear in-person at no additional cost as safety guidelines and my schedule allow.
You will retain exclusive performance rights on the work until it is premiered or until January 1st, 2023. Your commission automatically includes a perpetual performance license—you will never be asked to pay a performance fee for a work you have commissioned (though I do ask to be notified when possible)!
How does the commissioning process work?
Consultation
When your proposal is accepted, we will set up a time to chat via phone or video call (I can also correspond by e-mail if you prefer). I will ask for more details about you or your group’s performance level, the program you’re planning, the audience you’re serving, and various features of the commission. These calls are usually 15-30 minutes, depending on the scope of the project. It is usually during this consultation we will set up deadlines and payment plans.
Writing Period
When I start working on the piece, I will always send an initial draft and/or sketches within the first few days so you can see what direction we’re heading and make sure we’re on the same page! For shorter works, you’ll usually get one more, nearly complete draft before the final version is delivered. For more substantial works, you’ll get drafts and/or full movements before the final score and parts are delivered. Throughout the process, I will encourage you to point out anything that seems wonky or unplayable, or let me know if we need to pivot to a different type of mood/tone. I consider all of my work collaborative and can’t wait to make this piece truly ours! I detail the approximate duration of the writing period on these pages: Chamber | Large Ensemble | Pre-Collegiate
Rehearsal / Edit Stage
After the final delivery of the score, I will always be available to make adjustments or corrections—some things don’t come up until you’re already working on the piece months later, so don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for a change if something just isn’t working! I like to write blog posts about the pieces I’m working on, and (if you desire, of course) will include links to your social media or websites so people who read my blog can learn more about you as well!
Performance
Whenever the piece is programmed, I’m happy to share events, posts, and other online materials on my own social media to better promote your event (if applicable)—and to share details on the Upcoming Performances tab on my website! If you need me to record a short video promo, write up a program note, or other such performance-support material, just let me know!