You know you’re doing something right when a student compliments the piece you were commissioned to write, like “Finding You for Jazz Band.” This happened today when one of the trumpet players from the Strayer Middle School Jazz Band emailed me after downloading the demo mp3 (emphasis mine):

I am [name left out] and I am part of the Strayer Jazz Band. I am very impressed with this piece of music. I have heard of music that was just stuff that keeps repeating, but your music was so creative. I am a 2nd trumpet and I hope you continue to write for Strayer.

When I first received notification that someone had downloaded the mp3, I assumed that it was a jazz band director or someone who was interested in performing the work.  When I followed up via email after the download, I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was one of the young musicians who is currently playing the piece!

It’s a great feeling writing music for schools. Not only do I get to do what I love, but the young musicians get to play something I believe encourages a high-level of musicianship regardless of their skill-set.  There’s no reason why musicians at any age can’t have access to quality music, and my goal as composer is to make sure anyone at any skill-level can play great music.

Side Note: You think the middle school trumpet player was talking about minimalist music when he said “I have head of music that was just stuff that keeps repeating”? For some reason I don’t think he was. Even this young musician can spot out boring music that doesn’t go anywhere musically!

Check out the “Finding You for Jazz Band” page to download the mp3 and view a sample of the score. Music educators can also join my music program mailing-list to receive emails about projects for music schools.

This morning I sent an email to music educators about commissioning new music. You can read the letter below. Please sign up if you are a music educator would like to receive these emails.

Today I’m reaching out to you and other music educators about writing new music for your music program. In 2011, I had the opportunity to write an original jazz band piece for Richard E. Strayer Middle School in Quakertown, PA, and the experience has been amazing. Not only are the teachers, adminstrators, and student musicians excited to premiere the new work, but the entire community is aware of the commission from their weekly school letter (The QCommuniqué) and video broadcast (QCSD-TV).

Here are two links where you can learn about the process and see a current one in action.

Start a music commission for your program
Learn how today’s music technology takes a music commission into the 21st-century and makes the experience even more special.

Finding You for Jazz Band
“Finding You for Jazz Band” was commissioned in 2011 by the Richard E. Strayer Middle School Jazz Band, Quakertown, PA, directed by Joseph Santanello.

As the composer, I will do three things to ensure a successful and rewarding commission:

1. Write a piece based on your specifications and strengths of your group.
2. Use the latest technology (Internet, Skype, Twitter, SoundCloud, music production software, etc.) to interact and promote the commission.
3. Keep all parties involved from the beginning through the premiere.

By working together, we can create a piece that devlopes your student musicians, promotes your music program, and unites the community. If you are interested in commissioning music for the 2012-13 school year, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best,

Jon