Commission
If you are looking to support new music and give your students something really special to inspire them, commissioning a piece is the best way to do it. Megan makes the process easy.
Contact
Fill the form out to start the conversation with Megan. Totally free. No commitment. Just start the conversation. Megan aims to get back within one business day.
Schedule
Work out the details of your commission together: your band’s needs, your timeline, your budget. She has experience with a variety of different bands at different levels and has worked with different budgets.
Perform
With a commissioned piece you get your name on the score and a year of performance rights. Enjoy the piece that was custom made just for your and your band!
Start the process now by contacting Megan.
Commission vs. Consortium
Commission: One person or organization hires a composer to write an original work specifically for them.
Consortium: One person or organization leads a group of people/organizations to “buy in” to the project.
Why Commission/Lead a Consortium?
- Direct engagement in the creative process
- Work directly with a living composer
- Opportunity for learning extensions beyond the classroom/rehearsal room
- Community engagement
- Tailor made art - you are making history!
- Contribute to diversifying the catalog
Commissions/Consortiums
- Who: Megan and you/your group (plus additional member groups for consortiums)
- What: Discuss theme or occasion, style, difficulty, length, instrumentation
- When: Plan ahead! At least 6 months in advance of piece delivery date
- Where: Anywhere in the world!
- How: Reach out and start the conversation!
Additional Benefits/Responsibilities as Consortium Lead
- Premiere exclusivity and score credit
- Set contract and timeline with Megan
- Advertising/Recruiting members to the consortium
- Make a Registration Page for members to join
- Handle payments from members and payment to composer
Consortium
What is a Consortium?
If you want to contribute to the production of new works, joining a consortium is an easy way to help. By joining a consortium, you are co-commissioning the piece with other organizations. You get benefits like having your conductor and ensemble’s name printed in the score and having exclusive rights to perform. Click on the project below to learn more.
Lead a Consortium
Megan has developed a 3-stage process for leading a consortium to make it easy for you!
Exploration
It starts with a conversation to learn about the project, people, and payment. A contract is then agreed upon and signed and the first half of the payment is due. A timeline is established for drafts and check-ins. While Megan starts writing, you start getting the word out to recruit new consortium members. Optionally you can have Megan meet with students to get their input on the piece as well.
Development
Megan will send drafts along the way according to the agreed upon timeline and you get to give feedback on the piece along the way. Drafts are not engraved and have divisi parts. Optionally you can have Megan come in person or visit via Zoom to work with the ensemble on the piece.
Completion
After the feedback and drafts, Megan will deliver an engraved final copy with separated parts. This is also when the final payment is due. Optionally you can have Megan come be a guest conductor for the debut performance.
Start the process now by contacting Megan.
Current Consortiums
Wind Shear
Deadline:
Jul 26, 2026
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Horn and Piano
Grade 4.5
Wind Shear - A Concerto in Blue for Horn and Piano will be a 3 movement work in the jazz idiom. The piece will be between 10-12 minutes in length, with each movement ranging 3.5 - 4 minutes in length and exploring different genres within jazz. Solo horn part will be Grade 4 - 5 difficulty and will include a fully notated collaborative piano part. Room for improvised solos will be included in the piece, and the piece will also include suggested solos and/or solo guides for those less comfortable with improvisation.
More infoPast Consortiums
Under Pines and Stars
Deadline:
Jan 16, 2026
Wind Ensemble
Grade 3
The Portland Metro Concert Band is excited to lead a consortium of a new work for concert band by Washington Composer, Megan Vinther.
More infoThings Composers Want You To Know
Commissions/Consortiums can be a catalyst for artistic growth for the composer,commissioner, consortium leader, and your students. New works enrich our repertoireas educators and contribute to the diversity of voices in our art forms.
Supporting composers in this way has a huge economic impact for the composer,bridging the gap between publisher royalty payments (which are 10-30% of sales priceand only paid out 1-2 times a year) and allowing for some financial stability to createnew music.
Make sure you budget your TIME well in advance - leave room in your schedule forreasonable edits.
Be honest and direct! Composers cannot read your mind and need to know you areon the same page.