MELT TRACES

Saxophone Concerto

ABOUT THE CONSORTIUM

Participating commissioners will commission an eleven minute work for soprano saxophone and chamber orchestra called Melt Traces.
The work will be single movement in three parts called
1. Glacier
2. Polynya
3. Ice Calving

The INSPIRATION behind this work, and so much of my recent work, is our wondrously beautiful natural earth. The earth and its lands, seas, oceans and sky are all under tremendous threat in our age. My work is dedicated as a reminder of what what we have and a warning of what we are losing. On a recent trip to Iceland I saw first hand the effects of these global ‘melts’. Although awesome to see it is a warning for our age as well.

The soprano saxophone, with its tremendous penetration, expressivity and color, also offers a huge scope for brilliantly textured and emotionally and dramatically evocative music. As with much of my recent music, I use this as a departure point to dwell and dive a little into the expressive parallels of our internal psycho-emotional lives. The three sections will sound—as most of my recent work does—both as a mirror of this erosion of our iced planet and its tremendously grand and expansive beauty. Additionally, metaphors for our internalized responses that are equally grand, expansive, complex and emotional will be referenced in my music. I hope to make a short but powerful statement both on our external environment and our internal emotional worlds.

James Bunte is the perfect soloist for such a project since he brings such tremendous technique, deep musicianship and profound expression to his playing and interpretations.

COMMISSIONING TIERS
TIER 1: Printed and Digital Scores and Skype Conversation with the Composer about the Work
Consortium fee: $690

On or before June 1, 2021, you will be mailed two full scores and printed parts for Melt Traces. 
Commissioning institutions will have the exclusive right to present this piece as a local premier given by James Bunte throughout 2021-2022.

This tier also include one Skype discussion with the composer of 30-40 minutes, for questions about the score and compositional process. This could act as a presentation to saxophone students as well as composers. This tier also includes a fully licensed digital score & parts for reprinting or duplication as needed, and two video “in progress” updates about the work, the composition process and insights into the work.

TIER 2: Digital Scores/Parts Only
Consortium fee: $500

On or before June 1, 2021, you will receive a licensed digital score and parts for Melt Traces.
Commissioning bodies will have the exclusive right to perform through 2022 for one year after James Bunte’s exclusivity period expires post-2021.
This tier also includes email or text support for questions about the score and two video “in progress” updates about the work, the composition process and insights into the work.

TIER 3: Printed and Digital Scores plus Skype Rehearsal and using your own ensemble
Consortium fee: $790

On or before June 1, 2021, you will be mailed two full scores and printed parts for Melt Traces. 
Commissioning bodies will have the exclusive right to perform this piece through 2022 for one year after James Bunte’s exclusivity period expires post-2021.

This tier also includes one Skype rehearsal of 50-60 minutes, email or text support for questions about the score, fully licensed digital score & parts for reprinting or duplication as needed, and two video “in progress” updates about the work, the composition process and insights into the work.

JOIN THE CONSORTIUM

Register with PayPal here, or contact me for a traditional invoice payable by mailed check.

RIGHTS

The commissioning members of the 2021 Saxophone Concerto Consortium have the exclusive rights to license a premiere of Melt Traces until December 31, 2022 following world premiere by James Bunte (TBD on date before Dec. 31, 2021). Under the terms of this license the commissioner gains exclusive access to booking a local premiere of the work with James Bunte as soloist. Beyond that date, Tier 2 and Tier 3 Consortium members have the exclusive right to program this work with a soloist of their choice until December 31, 2022.

DATES AND DEADLINES

• Consortium launch: December 15, 2019

• Consortium closes: December 15, 2020

• New piece is delivered via email or mail (see commissioning tiers, above): June 1, 2021 (or sooner)

• Exclusive performance rights for all commissioning ensembles: through December 31, 2021

INSTRUMENTATION

2,2,2,2; 2,2,0,0; timp/perc; SOPRANO SAXOPHONE SOLO; ST (6,5,4,3,2)

JOIN THE CONSORTIUM

Register with PayPal here, or contact me for a traditional invoice payable by mailed check.

FAQs

Find out more about the artists
Douglas Knehans, composer
James Bunte, soloist

I can't sign up through the PayPal link. How can I join the consortium?
Universities can sometime have difficult to navigate payment systems. Please let me know if you need a traditional invoice payable by mailed check, a customized PayPal invoice, and/or other information in order to join.

Is the consortium fee refundable?
The consortium fee is non-refundable; please take that into account when you register.

My ensemble is based in Ohio. Can I schedule an in-person rehearsal instead of a Skype rehearsal?
It may be possible to schedule an in-person rehearsal instead of a Skype rehearsal, especially for ensembles in the greater Cincinnati Tri-State area. Let me know if you'd like to explore this option.

Does the Consortium fee include the soloists fee?
No, this would need to be arranged directly with James Bunte on an individual basis.

I would like to use our own soloist for the work rather than James Bunte. Is this allowed?
Yes. Consortium partners may choose their own soloist through the TIER THREE participation above. This would allow the work to be premiered after the exclusivity period granted to James Bunte using soloist of your own choice. If you wished to avoid the additional licensing cost of Tier Three, you could also choose to take part via one of the other options but only program the work after the exclusivity period has expired.

JOIN THE CONSORTIUM

Register with PayPal here, or contact me for a traditional invoice payable by mailed check.

For enquiries about this project, please contact:
NORTH AMERICA
Trudy Chan
Beth Holub
Black Tea Music [email]

OTHER TERRITORIES
Josephine McLachlan
Ablaze Records Artists Management [email]