Commission Assistance Grant
Paul Comptom, Oklahoma State University writes, "The piece was wonderful and better than I had even imagined. I would love to play the composition again and again."
Purposes:
- To encourage performers at all levels of development (elementary through professional) to experience the value of working closely with a composer.
- To encourage composer/performer interaction by having the composer and performer work closely during the creation and rehearsal process.
- To foster a greater understanding of the art of music by providing opportunities for educational outreach via electronic means (email, blog, etc.) and/or through open rehearsals, pre-concert lectures, and in presentations to community and/or educational organizations.
- The grant covers the cost of the commission fee, copying and reproduction of parts, and electronic interaction with the composer.
- The applicant needs to design opportunities for interaction between the composer and ensemble members, students, community members, and/or audience. The interaction can take place via electronic means (email, active participation in Sy Brandon’s blog, etc.) or in the form of a residency where the composer works with the musicians, talks with classes and/or community groups, and speaks to the audience. If the applicant desires a residency, the applicant will be responsible for covering travel expenses. The applicant could apply for a Met Life Creative Connections Grant from the Meet The Composer to assist with the costs of the residency.
- The performer agrees to provide the Sy Brandon with a rehearsal recording at least two weeks prior to the premiere.
- The college or professional performer promises to provide the composer with a CD quality recording no later than three months following the premiere. The amateur or school music performer promises to provide the composer with a “best edited take” recording of the composition no later than three months following the premiere.
- Applicants must be individuals or organizations residing in the continental United States.
- This grant is available for commissioning music from award-winning composer, Sy Brandon.
- Several grants will be awarded during each cycle.
- There are four cycles each year. The deadlines for receipt of applications are January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1. Notification of awards usually occurs within a month after each deadline.
- Application must include a description of the interaction and/or residency activities planned. (see suggestions)
- Criteria for evaluating applications include the completeness of the application and the quality of performance as illustrated by the recorded materials submitted. Each level of development will be evaluated on its own merit.
- Co-op Press reserves the right to not award a grant if there are no suitable candidates.
- Submitted materials will not be returned. Applicants will be notified of the results via e-mail or by regular mail.
- Click on “Contact Us” at the bottom of this page if you have any questions regarding this grant or application process.
- Click here to download the application form (PDF)
- Rommel Cordova - Ft. Worth, Texas - "Concerto alla Jazz" for tuba and band - "Sy is one of the most easy going people I have had the pleasure of working with. Collaborating with him on this piece and it's premiere was very exciting for me. I look forward to working with him again in the future!" Rommel Cordova
- Euphouria Tuba/Euphonium Quartet - Cookeville, Tennessee - "In Remembrance, September 11, 2001"
- John Hardisky - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - "Sonata Ritmico" for tuba and piano
- Clarkston, MI High School Madrigals - Clarkston, MI - "World Brotherhood"
- Shelley M. Jagow - Wright State University - "Celebration of Flight" for alto saxophone and violin
- Dr. Kenyon Wilson - Fulbright Scholar at Baku Music Academy - "American Fantasy" for tuba and piano - "Dr. Brandon demonstrated extensive knowledge of effective compositional techniques specific to my instrument and worked closely with me to produce a new composition that was exactly what I needed--a strong piece with a touch of Americana." Dr. Kenyon Wilson
- Harmonie Del Sur Oboe and Trumpet Duo - "Three Flirtations"
- Golden Gate Wind Quintet - San Francisco Bay Area, CA - "In Praise of Music"
- Trio di Camerati - Connecticut - "Three Jazzy Pieces" for flute, clarinet and cello
- Delicato Ensemble - Cincinnati, OH - "Scenes from Tom Sawyer" for flute, clarinet and piano
- Duozona - Tempe, AZ - "Southwestern Suite" for flute and guitar - "Sy Brandon's Southwestern Suite received a overwhelmingly exciting response from the audience, who leapt to their feet in applause at the final note. How often do you get to experience a standing ovation in the middle of a program?" Chuck and Theresa Hulihan, Duozona
- Paul Compton - Oklahoma State University - "Ballad and Dance Variations" for trombone and band
- University of Arkansas Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble - "Suite Francaise Moderne" - "Suite Francaise Moderne is a wonderful addition to the tuba-euphonium ensemble repertoire. The piece's neotonal foundation and unique style lend themselves aptly to the deep, rich voices of the instruments. Mr. Brandon's melodies are first rate and memorable." Dr. Benjamin Pierce
- San Jose Metropolitan Band - "Metropolitan Moods"
- French Road School Elementary School String Orchestra - "Escape to Freedom"
- French Road School Elementary School Blue Band - "Civil War Suite" - "By using popular songs of the Civil War period, Sy Brandon has wonderfully captured the moods and emotions of the common folks who lived through the War. The Suite really helped our students to understand the War in a more personal way." James Orgar
- The Chicago Brass Band Players - "Introduction, Aria, and Dance" - "...an audience-pleasing, expressive original work for programming on a concert. Every 10-piece brass ensemble should try it." - Steve Marcus, director of the Chicago Brass Band Players.
- The Silverwind Duo - "Kaleidoscope" for flute and clarinet - "Kaleidoscope is an inventive suite of vibrant musical miniatures. The instrument interplay combines melodic motives and imaginative timbres into a colorful and shape-shifting (not to mention entertaining!) musical experience" - Dr. Andrew Seigel and Nicole McPherson, Silverwind Duo
- The International Euphonium Institute - "Echoes" for double euphonium quartet - "The work is very idiomatic and easy to put together." - Adam Frey, Founder and Directorof the International Euphonium Institute
- The Hartford Brass Quintet - "Scenes from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"
- The Cadence Music Ensemble - "Divertissement" for oboe, piano, and percussion - "Divertissement was well received by the audience” - Tricia Wlazlo - Cadence Music Ensemble
- Xi Mu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, University of Delaware - "The First State" for wind ensemble -
- Harpsody - "Sonatasia" - "Sy Brandon was informative and educational and we understood the piece better as we learned his approach to the piece and his ideas." - Kaffee T. Minum and Tomoko Sato, Harpsody
- Royce City Middle School Band - "Mission to Mars"- "Dr. Brandon's residency with our band provided insight into the composer's creativity process and added so much more to the premiere performance." - Shayne Canning - Royse City Middle School Band Director
- Royce City High School Band - "A Franklin Portrait" - "A Franklin Portrait brings the world of music and history into an educational and emotional experience of the highest quality." - Dean Bouras - Royse City High School Band Director
- Altoona Area High School Orchestra - "Horseshoe Curve" - " Horseshoe Curve was exactly what I was hoping for. What a wonderful tribute to the hard workers of the railroad and the city of Altoona." - Kelly Detwiler, Altoona Area High School Orchestra Director
- The Washington Sinfonietta - "Legacy" - “Dr. Brandon is a master at his craft and has created an exciting and memorable piece that incorporates the Zeitgeist of our times.” Marcus Jordan, The Washington Sinfonietta
- Conundrum - "Four Poems" - “We thoroughly enjoyed preparing Four Poems.” Marianne Breneman, Conundrum
- Meggie Aube - "Guatamaya" - “The four movement work composed by Sy Brandon showed off the versatility of the marimba while exploring Guatemalan influences.” Meggie Aube
- Kansas State University Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble - "Suit Suite" - “Suit Suite is a great addition to the tuba/euphonium ensemble repertoire! The piece is musically fulfilling and captures the emotional qualities of each suit in musical and thoughtful ways.” Steven Maxwell, Kansas State University
- The Ballif Duo - "Regal Variations" - “Regal Variations is a marvelous audience-friendly duet that is enjoyable to play.” - Kristi Baliff, Mesa State College
- John DelVento - euphonium - "Contrasts" - “Contrasts should be a required piece for any serious euphoniumist.” John DelVento
- Steven Maxwell - tuba - "Grass Roots" - “Grass Roots is a wonderful new addition to the tuba repertoire that is fun and challenging to the performer and equally rewarding to the audience.” Steven Maxwell, Kansas State University
- Shelley M. Jagow - Wright State University - Composition for the Avion Saxophone Quartet - “Burnsiana”
- Kenyon and Marcy Wilson - Violin and Tuba composition for Southeast Regional Tuba/Euphonium Conference - “Adages” - “Sy makes the violin and tuba sound like a well-established duo. Adages is a fun piece for an atypical pairing.” Dr. Kenyon Wilson, University of Tennessee at Chatanooga
- Bret Pimentel - “Divertissement” for multiple woodwinds - “I believe that Divertissement for multiple woodwinds and piano is the first of its kind: a woodwind foubling showcase that can be easily programmed and is charming, witty, and accessible.” Dr. Bret Pimentel, Delta State University
- David Asbury and Bruce Cain - Composition for baritone voice and guitar
Recipients of Commission Assistance Grants Awarded in October 2011:
- The Maxwell Trio - Composition for bassoon, tuba and piano
- Jason Laczkoski, Anna Draper, and Joshua Russell - composition for saxophone, violin and piano